Bonnen asks forgiveness for leaked remarks
AUSTIN — Nearly a week after a few select Republican lawmakers reviewed a potentially damning audio recording, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen apologized Tuesday for meeting with a conservative foe who says Bonnen made insulting remarks about two Democratic House members and named 10 fellow Republicans who should be targeted in the 2020 primary elections.
Bonnen, R-Angelton, admitted he said “terrible things that are embarrassing” at a June 12 meeting with Empower Texans CEO Michael Quinn Sullivan and begged his fellow lawmakers for forgiveness.
“You know me well enough to know I say things with no filter. That’s not an excuse for the hurtful things I said or the discussion that was had,” Bonnen said in an email Tuesday to House Republicans and Democrats . “I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart. I ask for your forgiveness, and I hope to rebuild your trust.”
Sullivan accused Bonnen of offering his group media credentials and encouraging Empower Texans, which has given millions in campaign contributions to conservative candidates to oppose 10 largely moderate Republicans. The media credentials would allow staff members of an Empower Texans affiliate to be on the House floor during the legislative session, affording them better access to lawmakers. Bonnen initially denied the allegations. Sullivan then allowed affected Republicans to listen to secretly recorded audio from the meeting between him, Bonnen and Republican Caucus Chairman Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock.
Bonnen has said the full audio from the one-hour meeting should be made public. He repeated that Tuesday, saying the audio should come out so “we can begin to heal.”
Rep. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, a former House GOP Caucus chairman and one of the 10 Republicans reportedly named as a potential target, called on the caucus to investigate. He said he listened to the audio and heard Bonnen and Burrows target specific members. That is in direct violation of the bylaws and culture of the caucus, he said.
“I find this reckless ambition to be absolutely disgusting,” Parker said in an emailed statement. “The disparaging commentary that was also heard was the epitome of disrespect and a clear attack on the values of the Republican Party and the integrity we have established in the Texas House.”
Sullivan said Bonnen has lied repeatedly about what happened at the meeting.
“He wanted to make me the latest victim of his shady dealings,” Sullivan said on Twitter. “At what point will he apologize for lying to the public and his #Txlege colleagues? When will he apologize to me for putting me in the position of hearing his unethical proposal?”