Political People and their Moves

Former Dallas County Republican Party Chairman Nate Crain will be the finance chairman for the Americans for Rick Perry Super PAC. That group isn't allowed to coordinate, talk to, or be seen with the candidate or his campaign. But they can spend money promoting him. Crain and his family have been supporting Perry for years. His wife, Dallas attorney Christina Melton Crain, was a Perry appointee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice and has a prison in Gatesville named for her.

Former state district judge Charlie Baird launched an exploratory committee to consider a run for Travis County district attorney. He'd be running against incumbent Rosemary Lehmberg.

Gov. Rick Perry appointed seven members to the Continuing Advisory Committee for Special Education, which provides policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities in Texas. Gwyn Boyter of Austin is superintendent of the University of Texas-University Charter School. Susan "Stormi" Johnson of Palestine is a diagnostician and special education teacher in the Palestine Independent School District and Anderson County Juvenile Detention Center. Melissa Columbus Keller of Lakeway is an advocate for children with special needs. Geralda Morales-Whittemore of Brownsville is an assistant principal in the Brownsville Independent School District. Nagla Moussa of Plano is a teacher at the Art Workshop. Heather Pulido of Fort Worth is a paralegal at the law office of J. Frank Thompson. Myeshi Williams-Briley of Spring is an instructor at the Prairie View A&M University Office of Continuing Education and CEO of the Education, Support, Help and Intervention Therapy Center.

Perry appointed Raymond A. "Ray" Gill Jr. of Horseshoe Bay to the Lower Colorado River Authority. Gill owns R. Gill and Associates.

The governor also appointed:

John Youngblood of Cameron as judge of the 20th Judicial District Court in Milam County. Youngblood is partner at Glaser and Youngblood, Attorneys at Law.

Eleanor Kitzman of Austin as state commissioner of insurance, effective Aug. 15, 2011. Kitzman is the outgoing executive director of the South Carolina Budget and Control Board, and is past director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance. She was appointed to her current job by Gov. Nikki Haley.

Darrell Brownlow of Floresville to the San Antonio River Authority Board of Directors. Brownlow is a principal at Intercoastal Inland Services.