The leadership fight in Austin follows months of all-out political warfare between Republican factions and could further empower the state’s most strident conservatives.

After current House Speaker Dade Phelan dropped his bid to keep the gavel in early December, one member of his leadership team, Representative Dustin Burrows of Lubbock entered the race pitting himself against Representative David Cook of Mansfield.

The void is set to be filled by either Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock or Rep. David Cook of Mansfield. Experts told KHOU 11 the choice could determine how the House — and the GOP in the chamber — moves forward this session. Either candidate would need 76 votes to secure control of the gavel.

Lawmakers are facing a number of influential issues... but first, the state has to decide who the Speaker of the House will be. Here's what we know about the start of the 89th Texas Legislature today:

The start of the legislative session on Tuesday should bring the resolution of a contentious battle for power in the Texas House of Representatives. Lawmakers in the chamber will vote to choose the next House Speaker,