Thursday State Representative Dade Phelan informed his constituents that he will not seek re-election.
“After reflection with my family, I will not seek re-election as State Representative for House District 21 in 2026. Kim and I are grateful for the friendships, trust, and support gained along this journey.
Serving Southeast Texas has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. Your confidence in me has been a profound responsibility, and I am thankful for the opportunity to represent our resilient community — one my family has called home for generations. I am proud of the accomplishments we achieved together, including landmark transportation projects, securing a new mental health facility, a new VA hospital, generational funding for all four Lamar campuses, vital financing for the Coastal Spine, and significant port investments that will strengthen our economy and protect our communities for years to come.
I was honored to serve as Speaker of the Texas House. Leading the House required tough choices, but I sought to chart a course inspired by the values we share in Southeast Texas: protecting our families, defending our liberties, and leading with independence, loyalty, integrity, and resolve. Together, we achieved generational investments in mental health care, expanded maternal health access, advanced meaningful criminal justice reform, secured historic infrastructure and flood mitigation funding, delivered the largest property tax cut in American history, strengthened border security, passed constitutional carry, defended Second Amendment rights, and stood unapologetically for the unborn.
To my exceptional staff over the last six sessions, thank you for your tireless dedication, professionalism, and loyalty. My deepest gratitude to the constituents, colleagues, and supporters who placed their trust in me. Your friendship made all the difference.
Most importantly, I am deeply grateful for my wife, Kim, and our four boys, whose love, patience, and encouragement have sustained me throughout my tenure in the Texas House.
Looking ahead, I will seek God’s path in mapping out my next chapter. The future is bright for the Great State of Texas, and I remain committed to its promise. Thank you for this extraordinary privilege of serving House District 21.”
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