(Austin, TX) --A group of Republicans in the Texas House say they are closing ranks in what they say is an ongoing effort to oust fellow Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan, of Beaumont. About four dozen representatives and nominees expressed their support for Rep. David Cook for the speakership on Friday. Among his supporters are four who dropped their own bids for speaker in order to unite behind a single candidate. Cook is a two-term Republican from Mansfield who promises to appoint only Republicans to chair House committees.