Sen. Brandon Creighton elected president pro tempore of Texas Senate

State Senator Brandon Creighton was elected president pro tempore of the Texas Senate on Jan. 14, 2025, after State Senator Tan Parker nominated him and State Senator Paul Bettencourt seconded the motion. The election carried by the senators’ standing voice vote and Creighton was sworn in before the chamber.

The post of president pro tempore is the chamber’s frequently called backup presiding officer and, as speakers noted during the ceremony, is third in the line of succession for the state executive branch. The position carries ceremonial responsibilities and occasional presiding duties when the lieutenant governor is absent.

Parker introduced Creighton with a lengthy nomination speech that traced Creighton’s background in agriculture, business and earlier legislative service and urged colleagues to support the nomination. Bettencourt delivered a seconding speech that praised Creighton’s legislative record and work on tax and property-relief measures. After the nomination and second, Parker moved the election and a standing voice vote was taken; the chair announced that “the motion carries” and that Creighton was elected president pro tempore.

Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock administered the oath of office for the president pro tempore. Following the oath, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick presented Creighton to the chamber and Creighton gave brief remarks thanking family, staff and colleagues, noting his years as a senate messenger and his legislative priorities. Creighton said, in part, “I stand here today with profound gratitude and incredible appreciation. To serve as president pro tempore of the Texas Senate is an honor…May God bless the great state of Texas.”

The chair read appointments to a committee associated with the president pro tempore’s office; the secretary read committee members as presented for that committee. The chair directed the newly appointed committee and invited Creighton and his family to join committee members at the rear of the chamber for the formal investiture.

The election was handled on the floor by nomination, second and voice vote; the record shows no roll-call tally for the election itself and the chair announced the motion carried after senators stood. The ceremony and speeches occupied the opening portion of the Senate’s organizational proceedings.

Looking ahead, Creighton signaled he will continue work on legislation he described as priorities in past sessions and reiterated the chamber’s role in crafting state law.

Sources: Floor proceedings and oath administered on Jan. 14, 2025.