U.S. Rep. Ron Wright (R-Arlington) died Sunday, roughly two weeks after being admitted to the hospital after a COVID-19 diagnosis. He was 67. Wright was also receiving treatment for lung cancer. The former Tarrant Co. Tax Assessor-Collector and Arlington council member was first elected to Congress in 2018 and re-elected in 2020.
A special election will be needed to determine his successor. Section 203.004, Election Code provides that the election “shall be held on the first uniform election date occurring on or after the 36th day after the election is ordered,” which would be May 1.
Election Code provisions related to expedited elections – such as the one to fill Sen. Drew Springer’s (R-Muenster) unexpired House term while the Legislature is in session – do not apply to Congressional seats. However, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) may declare an emergency election under Section 41.0011, Election Code, which would permit the special election to be held on a day other than May 1. In that case, the election would be held on a Tuesday or Saturday between the 36th and 50th days after it is ordered.
Flower Mound: Mayor Steve Dixon announced he would not seek re-election.
Lufkin: Mayor Bob Brown announced he would not seek re-election. Council member Mark Hicks and former council member Don Langston have already announced their candidacies.
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