HD10 special: Midlothian rancher Kevin Griffin, Midlothian real estate agent and council member Leland Wickliffe and former Rep. John Wray (R-Midlothian) have filed for the August 31 special election as Republicans. Texas Right to Life PAC endorsed former U.S. Health & Human Services official and former CD6 candidate Brian Harrison, who launched his candidacy touting the endorsement. Thursday is the filing deadline.
Election Legislation: The Senate State Affairs Committee approved Senate Bill 1 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), the session’s major election bill, by a party-line vote following public testimony. The bill is identical to legislation passed by the Senate during the First Called Session except for enactment data language.
In the House, Rep. Andrew Murr (R-Junction) filed House Bill 3, the chamber’s major election bill, which appears to be identical to the bill he filed during the First Called Session except for enactment date language.
The full Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 13 by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston). The bill would adjust the filing period and election dates for the 2022 primary based on when a redistricting plan becomes law.
Quorum Break Suit: A state district judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the arrest of House Democrats who left the state to break a legislative quorum. The order from District Judge Brad Urrutia (D) restrains Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) from “detaining, confining or otherwise restricting a Texas House Democrat’s movement.” Urrutia set a hearing for August 20 to determine whether to extend the injunction until a full trial on the merits is held. This state suit is different from an error-ridden federal suit filed by a different attorney without consent of several plaintiffs.
Meanwhile, 95 members of the House were present today (Monday), five short of a quorum.
Austin: Former Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin), who was mayor from 1997-2001, told the Austin American-Statesman’s Ryan Autullo that he is considering running for mayor next year. Autullo reported that Rep. Celia Israel (D-Houston) and council member Kathie Tovo are also considering the race. Mayor Steve Adler is term-limited.
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