In email to House members, Speaker Bonnen says 'I'm sorry'

[TexasTowelie]

Seeking to resolve weeks-long tension over a meeting with a conservative activist, Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen sent an email to House members Tuesday apologizing for saying “terrible things that are embarrassing” during the conversation.

“I was stupid to take a meeting with an individual who has worked hard to divide our House,” said Bonnen, a Republican from Lake Jackson, in the email, referring to Michael Quinn Sullivan. “It was a mistake.”

Bonnen did not address the most serious allegation from the meeting: that he and a Republican lieutenant offered to give media credentials to writers for a publication affiliated with Sullivan’s Empower Texans in exchange for the group backing primary opponents to 10 Republican House members. Bonnen had said at the end of the legislative session in May that he would support all Republicans’ reelection bids and urged his colleagues to do the same.

Sullivan described the June 12 meeting in a blog post last month, which included details about the “backroom offer” and the names of the lawmakers Sullivan said Bonnen asked him to target.

Read more: https://www.waxahachietx.com/news/20190806/in-email-to-house-members-speaker-bonnen-says-im-sorry
(Waxahachie Daily Light)

[Gothmog]

1. This incident is amusing

Texas Democrats hope to gain 9 seats and control of the Texas state House

[TexasTowelie]

2. If politics were soccer, this gaffe would be equivalent to an "own goal." nt

[Gothmog]

4. My middle child used that term last night with respect to this incident

She is a big Arsenal fan. This incident made her laugh

[Gothmog]

3. Texas House Speaker Makes Us All Want to Know What's on the Tape Real Bad"

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[Gothmog]

5. Texas State Rep. Insulted In Recording Forecasts Doom For GOP Speaker

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“I think he attacked LGBTQ people, and he attacked me as a woman as well,” she continued. “I did get the sense that it was very misogynistic.”

Beckley’s perception of Bonnen’s alleged misogyny was deepened when she found out that he had apologized individually to every Republican and male Democrat he insulted on the recording — but didn’t call her.

“He’s had plenty of time to reach out to me,” she said. “Originally, one of my staffers even reached out to his office — they did not reply.”

Beckley tweeted Wednesday, demanding an individual apology from Bonnen. His office did not respond to her tweets, or TPM’s request for comment.

[Gothmog]

6. This will be fun to watch- an immediate full investigation" into allegations

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