Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Texas lawmakers are asking the Texas Rangers to investigate allegations against House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and one of his top lieutenants.

What are they investigating? Why does this matter?

Follow this thread for answers. #txlege bit.ly/2Z2KGcu

2/ Bonnen and his lieutenant stand accused of offering media credentials to a conservative organization in exchange for the organization targeting a list of 10 Republican lawmakers in the 2020 elections. bit.ly/2KGMjn1

3/ Bonnen has pushed back on that accusation.

But Michael Quinn Sullivan, the head of Empower Texans, says he has proof: An audio recording.

bit.ly/2KGMjn1

4/ That audio recording has not yet been released to the public. But Sullivan has privately played it for a number of Republican lawmakers. #txlege bit.ly/2KGMjn1

5/ Here's what some of those lawmakers are saying:

"I love Dennis. I didn’t believe any of this. I was shocked."

"[It] is the most disappointing thing that I've ever seen."

bit.ly/2MYuO4w

6/ Bonnen has apologized for taking the meeting — and for some of his remarks that are allegedly on that recording.

“I said terrible things that are embarrassing to the members, to the House, and to me personally.”

bit.ly/2H49SoN

7/ A small number of lawmakers have called for Bonnen to step aside as speaker.

The Texas Democrats have sued for what they say are campaign finance violations. bit.ly/2MWbx3r

8/8 Why does this matter?

If anything said in that meeting was illegal, Bonnen could be in trouble.

It is also coming ahead an election year when Democrats think their party could flip the Texas House. #txlege #tx2020 bit.ly/2KGMjn1