Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ The Texas House speaker is accused of plotting against fellow Republicans.

He has publicly denied it, but a hardline conservative activist says he has a recording as proof. #txlege bit.ly/2T82QEx

2/ Here’s the accusation: A hardline conservative activist said he was offered media credentials for his organization's news site.

In exchange, the activist would target 10 fellow Republican lawmakers in the 2020 primaries. #txlege bit.ly/2T82QEx

3/ Dennis Bonnen has denied this accusation.

But the hardline conservative activist, Michael Quinn Sullivan, says he has proof: An audio recording of their meeting. #txlege bit.ly/2T82QEx

4/ Sullivan hasn’t released the recording to the public yet, but he is reportedly sharing it with Republican lawmakers.

Several Republicans have already heard it

#txlege bit.ly/2T82QEx

5/ Here's what they are saying.

“What I derived from the audio tape — it’s very clear — is that Speaker Bonnen was not truthful about a list not being provided." #txlege bit.ly/2T82QEx

6/ Another Texas lawmaker told The Dallas Morning News what he heard is "consistent with" what Sullivan has alleged.

He also said that Bonnen made "disparaging" comments about members of the Texas House. #txlege bit.ly/2T82QEx

7/ There was a third member in the room: State Rep. Dustin Burrows. He is the chair of the Texas House Republican Caucus. He has not made any comment, yet. #txlege bit.ly/2T82QEx

8/ Why does this matter?

As speaker, Bonnen forbid members from campaigning against fellow incumbents in 2020. If this is true, he’s going against his own rule.

His future as the Republican House speaker could also be in peril.

#txlege bit.ly/2T82QEx