Rep. Leo Pacheco (D-San Antonio) announced he would resign in the next few weeks to accept a teaching position at San Antonio College. A special election will be required to fill his unexpired term.
Southside ISD trustee Katie Farias (D), daughter-in-law of former Rep. Joe Farias (D-San Antonio) and an aide to Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio), announced she would be a candidate in the special election. San Antonio attorney Desi Martinez previously established a campaign committee to challenge Pacheco in next year’s Democratic primary. The race is expected to attract 10 or more candidates.
HD10 special: Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered an expedited special election for August 31 to fill the unexpired state house term of U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Waxahachie). Candidates must file by August 12. Early voting begins August 23. This creates a very small window for candidates to build up name recognition and raise money if they have not already done so, which would seem to give former Rep. John Wray (R-Waxahachie) a very strong advantage over anyone else who enters the race. As of now, Wray appears to be the only candidate that has taken a formal step toward running. Brian Harrison, a former CD6 candidate and former U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development official, is reportedly considering the race.
HD70: Prosper accountant Jim Herblin reauthorized his campaign committee for a potential primary challenge of Rep. Scott Sanford (R-McKinney). Herblin unsuccessfully challenged Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) in the 2012 Republican primary, losing 65%-35%.
Bedford: Rich Steves won a four-way special election outright with 61% of the vote to win an unexpired council term.
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