RRC open: Former RRC Chair Barry Smitherman endorsed Gary Gates.

HD18 open: The Texas Medical Assoc. TEXPAC endorsed Ernest Bailes. Rep. Jonathan Stickland (R-Bedford) was not impressed:

Stickland’s campaign has contributed $5K to Bailes’ opponent Keith Strahan and has been raising money for Strahan.

CD19 open: Abilene Mayor Norm Archibald endorsed Jodey Arrington. He previously endorsed Michael Bob Starr, who finished third in the primary. We’ve previously discussed the importance of Taylor Co. voters in determining the runoff winner.

Former candidate Donald May, who finished fourth with 9% of the vote, endorsed Glen Robertson.

Harris Co.: Gene Locke, who was appointed as an interim replacement for the late Harris Co. Comm. El Franco Lee, officially announced he would fun for a full term. He was appointed in part because, at the time, he said he would not seek a full term. Lee was running unopposed when he passed away. Democratic precinct chairs will select a replacement nominee in June.