Gov. Greg Abbott has called a second special session, which will convene on Saturday at noon. The First Called Session ends tomorrow (Friday), though it has been effectively over for weeks following House Democrats’ quorum break. His proclamation includes two election-related matters:
- “Legislation strengthening the integrity of elections in Texas” and
- “Legislation modifying the filing periods and related election dates, including any runoffs, for primary elections held in Texas in 2022.”
The latter item was not included in the first special session agenda. Data needed for redistricting will be released by the U.S. Census Bureau on August 12, which will begin a map-drawing process that would typically be completed by now.
Several of the other items on the list include references to specific bills passed during the regular session, but neither election-related item does so even though both were considered during the regular session.
Abbott also included “legislative quorum requirements” on the agenda.
“I will continue to call special session after special session,” Abbott said in a statement. “They have a responsibility to finish the work that was started” during the regular session.
As it was when they left for Washington, the endgame for the Democrats remains unclear. The U.S. Senate appears to be moving toward another vote on some form of voting rights legislation, but its potential impact is unclear, as are its prospects for passage.
HD52: Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) endorsed Nelson Jarrin, his former staffer, for the Republican nomination to challenge Rep. James Talarico (D-Round Round). The endorsement comes a day after Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) endorsed his staffer, Caroline Harris.
CD23: The National Border Patrol Council, the union representing Border Patrol agents, endorsed U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-San Antonio) as its first endorsement this cycle.
CD28: A day after she reauthorized her campaign committee for a 2022 race, Laredo community organizer and 2020 Democratic primary challenger Jessica Cisneros announced she would seek a Democratic primary rematch against U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), who defeated Cisneros, 52%-48%, in last year’s primary. Laredo community organizer Tannya Benavides is also in the race.
Census: As indicated above, the U.S. Census Bureau said data needed for redistricting will be released on August 12, four days earlier than the previously announced date, but still more than four months after the statutory deadline.
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