AUSTIN — The 89th legislative session began Tuesday with members of the Texas House electing Rep. Dustin Burrows as their new speaker after a month-long divisive battle among Republicans. Burrows won the speaker's race by a vote of 85-55.

AUSTIN — Texas House lawmakers elected Republican Rep. Dustin Burrows as speaker Tuesday, shortly after the Legislature’s 89th regular session began.

Dustin Burrows is elected Speaker of the Texas House, signaling potential bipartisanship in addressing state issues.

With the election of Dustin Burrows to House Speaker, Democrats are hoping to hang on to a few committee chairs.

Texas has a powerful new House speaker after years of escalating Republican infighting. Dustin Burrows won the job on Tuesday with the support of Democrats who favored him over a challenger backed by the GOP’s emboldened hard right.

A leader who learned to keep promises, a chance at chairing committees, and what they see as more chances for a fairer playing field.

Rep. Dustin Burrows, a Lubbock Republican recently selected as speaker of the Texas House, raised more than $750,000 in political contributions in the first two weeks of December. The sum — raised in the final sprint before state lawmakers are barred from fundraising until June 23,