SD30 special (Safe Republican): Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered an emergency special election (PDF) for September 29 to fill the unexpired term of Sen. Pat Fallon (R-Prosper), who has resigned effective January 4, 2021. Fallon is the Republican nominee for CD4.
The filing deadline is Friday, giving candidates just five days to enter a short sprint of a race. Early voting will begin on September 14 and run through September 25.
Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) announced his candidacy and Fallon’s endorsement. Pilot Point salon owner Shelley Luther announced yesterday (Saturday) that she would seek the seat. Denton Mayor Chris Watts has established a campaign committee for the race and is expected to file for the seat.
CD23 open (Lean Democratic): Raul Reyes Jr. conceded to Tony Gonzales II as the Republican runoff recount neared its end “without a sizable shift in the vote margin.” Gonzales appeared to win the runoff by 46 votes prior to the recount. Reyes picked up a net 8 votes in Bexar Co. but was otherwise unable to close the gap any further.
AG: District Judge Jason Luong (D) will continue to preside over the criminal case of Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton (R) after an administrative judge denied his legal team’s request to remove Luong. He is the fourth judge to preside over the case. Luong may now proceed with a review of District Judge Robert Johnson’s decision to return the case to Collin Co., from which it was sent in 2017. Johnson recused himself from the case shortly after issuing that decision. Luong is the fourth judge to preside over the case.
Paxton was indicted five years ago on criminal securities fraud charges. A similar federal case has been dismissed twice.
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