Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick has been tapped to lead the Republican Party of Texas' Victory 2014 effort. The prime fundraising vehicle for the party, Victory 2014 raises the resources to support the party's get-out-the-vote activities for the fall general election.

Former Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin has been named executive director of the Texas Dental Association. He begins his new job on May 1.

Former state Rep. Aaron Peña was hired on at the Texas Department of Agriculture as assistant general counsel.

Oscar Garza is leaving state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa's office for a job with Estrada Hinojosa Investment Bankers. His first day is May 1.

Strategic Public Affairs has hired a new manager, Libbie Krueger, and a new director, Ashley Kaden. Krueger worked in the Minnesota state Senate. Kaden has worked in the office of Texas House Speaker Joe Straus as well as for state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston.

Linda Estrada, campus secretary for Donna ISD's Runn Elementary School, was named to the National Education Association's board of directors. Her three-year term begins Sept. 1. Texas has three seats on the NEA's 160-member board.

Texas redistricting expert Michael Li has been hired by the Brennan Center at the NYU Law School. Beginning May 19, he will serve as counsel with responsibility for redistricting projects. He will also work on voting and election law issues. He said he plans to continue his blog on Texas redistricting, although it may change some in scope or presentation.