Two Texas State Representatives were scheduled to announce formally today, confirming rumors and reports, that they are changing parties.
State Rep. Aaron Peña of Edinburg and State Rep. Allan Ritter of Nederland, will be switching to the Republican party.
That will bring the number of Republicans in the current House to 78. For the 82nd Session there are 22 incoming freshmen Republicans who unseated Democrats during the mid-term elections, bringing the total number of Republican seats to 100. In addition, a special election for HD 44 vacated by the passing of Rep. Edmund Kuempel is being held today which is anticipated to add another Republican seat in the House for a total of 101 Republican Seats.
Reaching a supermajority in the House would allow a group with 100 or more votes to suspend rules, amend legislation on final reading, and reach a quorum of the House even if the minority fails to show up.