Secret Meeting: Former Texas House Speaker Attacked; Conservative Activist Accused of ‘gaslighting'

AUSTIN -- At the end of the legislative session in May, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen heaped praise on his immediate predecessor, Joe Straus, calling him a “very good” speaker and a “good friend.” But two weeks later, during a meeting with conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan, Bonnen attacked Straus’ record as speaker, according to multiple people who have heard Sullivan’s secretly recorded audio of the meeting. Using the San Antonio Republican’s approach of supporting moderate Republican incumbents in primary elections and working with Democrats as a foil, Bonnen cast himself as a true conservative who is more aligned with Sullivan’s goals.   Continue reading...