Rep. Leo Pacheco’s (D-San Antonio) resignation is effective today (Thursday), triggering a special election to fill his unexpired term. With HD10 also vacant, the House now has 148 members, which temporarily lowers the threshold for establishing a quorum to 99.
While not present on the floor at the same time, 99 members checked in today, giving the House its first quorum in six weeks. It remains to be seen whether, and for how long, 99 members will be present on the floor during the rest of this special session, which ends no later than September 5. An adjournment today dissolved the call of the House, for now, and canceled civil arrest warrants signed by Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont).
The HD10 special election is August 31 but could go to a runoff, which would keep the quorum requirement at 99 likely through most, if not all, of a redistricting special session if it convened right after Labor Day weekend. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) could order an expedited special election for HD118, or he could order it to coincide with the November 2 general election. That calculation may depend in part on the possibility that HD118 could once again be won by a Republican in a special election.
Former Rep. John Lujan (R-San Antonio) announced he would run in the special election as he seeks to recapture the seat he held for less than a year following his 2016 special runoff election victory (52%). Lujan lost the 2016 general election to his runoff election opponent, Tomas Uresti (D-San Antonio), 55%-45%, and the 2018 general election to Pacheco, 58%-42%.
Lujan is the second Republican in the race, joining Universal City real estate agent and 2020 Republican nominee Adam Salyer. At least three Democrats have taken a formal step toward running: San Antonio legislative aide and Southside ISD trustee Katie Farias, San Antonio attorney Desi Martinez and San Antonio zoning director and former legislative aide Frank Ramirez IV.
HD10 special: The Brian Harrison (R) campaign announced he has been endorsed by Reps. Jeff Cason (R-Bedford), Mayes Middleton (R-Wallisville), Bryan Slaton (R-Royse City), Valoree Swanson (R-Spring), Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington), Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands) and Cody Vasut (R-Angleton).
GOV: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R) endorsed Gov. Greg Abbott (R) for re-election at a True Texas Project event in Grapevine. He was booed by the attendees.
HD108: Dallas attorney and former Dallas Co. prosecutor Alexandra Guio announced she would challenge Rep. Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) as a Democrat.
CD21: The National Border Patrol Council endorsed U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Austin) for re-election.
Election Legislation: Speaker Date Phelan (R-Beaumont) referred Senate Bill 1 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) to the Select Committee on Constitutional Rights and Remedies. The bill will be heard in committee on Saturday. Senate Bill 13 by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), which moves the dates for the filing period and primary elections based on when a redistricting plan becomes law, was also referred to that committee and will be heard tomorrow (Friday).
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