AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Texas Republicans are facing an internal scandal that could threaten their ability to hold off Democratic gains in the state Legislature in the critical 2020 elections.
The upheaval involves an alleged hit list of political opponents, a promise of access, denials and suspicions of a setup.
A hardline conservative activist claims first-term House Speaker Dennis Bonnen offered legislative media credentials to his website in exchange for helping defeat a group of 10 incumbent Republicans.
The speaker strongly denies it. The activist says he recorded the offer. He is letting some of his lawmaker friends listen to it.
The drama comes as long-dominant Republicans hope to defend their eroding House majority in the nation’s most populous conservative state.
