Rep. Senfronia Thompson, an 87-year-old Houston Democrat, says she has the votes to become the next speaker of the Texas House. She would be the first woman and first Black representative to hold that role. Thompson is “Affectionately referred to as ‘Ms. T’ and respected on both sides of the aisle," according to The…

The 87-year-old Houston Democrat, known as Ms. T, has served in the Legislature since 1973. On Tuesday, her party won control of the Texas House for the first time since 2003.

Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat, and Rep. Eddie Morales Jr., D-Eagle Pass, have both announced their intentions.

The House speaker is second in line to the president and the only leadership position in Congress mandated by the U.S. Constitution.