A Texas Republican lawmaker has sparked backlash after urging Gov. Greg Abbott to restrict the emergency powers his Democratic successor will inherit, prompting accusations of hypocrisy and an attempt to undermine voters’ decision after a historic election upset.
State Rep. Brian Harrison called on Abbott to immediately convene a special legislative session before Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa takes office, arguing Republicans have just 10 weeks to limit the authority available to the incoming Democratic governor.
In a lengthy November 5 post on X, Harrison declared that Republicans had lost the election but still controlled the state government until the transition was complete. “We still have total power in Texas, and we must act like it,” he wrote, insisting lawmakers should use their remaining time to restore the separation of powers.
Harrison warned that Hinojosa could otherwise inherit what he described as the powers of a “DICTATOR,” claiming Texas emergency laws allow governors to modify, suspend, or create laws, including criminal laws, through executive orders. The Republican lawmaker specifically urged the Texas Legislature to pass HB911, legislation he introduced in 2022 that seeks to restrict gubernatorial emergency authority.
Among its proposed provisions are prohibiting governors from suspending or modifying statutes, requiring legislative approval for emergency orders to remain in effect beyond 30 days, and preventing the reissuance of rejected or expired orders. The legislation would also require emergency orders to be narrowly tailored and subject them to expedited judicial review.
Critics Accuse Republicans of Hypocrisy After Election Defeat
Harrison argued that his concerns had nothing to do with party politics, insisting that no governor, Republican or Democrat, should have unchecked emergency powers. However, his demand for immediate action following Hinojosa’s victory did not sit well with several social media users.
Some commenters questioned why Republicans were suddenly concerned about executive authority after years of having a Republican governor wielding those same powers. “So let me get this straight. Abbott has exercised these emergency powers for years, but the moment Texans elect a Democrat, they suddenly become the powers of a ‘DICTATOR’?” one user wrote.
A commenter also accused Harrison of applying a double standard, asking, “So it’s ok for @GregAbbott_TX to have this unchecked, unconstitutional power but not a Dem Governor?” One particularly critical response described the proposal as “corrupt AF,” arguing that voters had already made their decision and did not want more political maneuvering behind closed doors.
Another user accused Republicans of being “sore LOSERS and spoiled brats” for allegedly trying to change the rules rather than accept the election outcome. Hinojosa defeated Abbott with 52.78 percent of the vote to his 45.66 percent, according to Decision Desk HQ figures.
Her victory marks a historic shift, putting a Democrat in the Texas governor’s mansion for the first time since 1990. Democrats also won the state House, ending Republicans’ 24-year control, while several other statewide Republican candidates suffered defeats. For Rep. Harrison, the priority is making sure the incoming governor does not inherit the same emergency authority currently available to Abbott.
