Gov. Greg Abbott announced three appointments to the University of Houston System Board of Regents on Monday, headlined by the reappointment of Houston billionaire and current board chairman Tilman Fertitta. Houston businesswoman Beth Madison, the board's current secretary, also was reappointed. Retired Exxon Mobil executive Gerald McElvy of Southlake, was appointed to the board.

Abbott named Gilbert “Gil” Burciaga of Austin to the School Land Board, for a term to expire on Aug. 29, 2017.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick appointed senators to three different committees late last week. They are:

• Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, and Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, to the Joint Interim Committee to Study Border Security
• Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Birdwell to the Health and Human Services Transition Legislative Oversight Committee
• Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, and Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, to the Joint Interim Committee to Study a Coastal Barrier System

The Ted Cruz presidential campaign announced Tuesday that it has brought aboard two former Scott Walker grassroots co-chairs in the Peach State — Julianne Thompson and Rachel Little — who will now help with organizing efforts in support of Cruz. They join Louie Hunter, another Walker grassroots organizer who had previously announced support for Cruz. Walker announced the dissolution of his presidential campaign this week.

Odessa businessman Joshua Crawford announced Wednesday he is entering the race for the West Texas-based House District 81 seat, challenging freshman state Rep. Brooks Landgraf, R-Odessa, for the Republican nomination.

A second Democrat has signaled that he intends to enter the race for the House District 144 seat — Pasadena city councilman Cody Wheeler. The district swung into Republican hands last election.

State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, who has represented House District 48 since 2006, announced Thursday that he's running for re-election.

State Rep. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, announced that he plans to seek re-election to the Texas House in 2016. Parker, the House GOP Caucus chairman, is in his fifth term in the Legislature, having initially won election to represent the Denton County-based House District 63 in 2006.

Anti-abortion advocacy group Texas Right to Life announced its endorsement of Thomas McNutt in the House District 8 race on Tuesday. McNutt is running against longtime state Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, who has held the seat since 2002.

The Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC announced its endorsement of state Rep. John Raney, R-College Station, in the HD-14 race. Raney, who has held the seat since a 2011 special election, is running against Republican Jess Fields, a former city councilman in College Station.

SD-24 candidate Dawn Buckingham announced on Wednesday that she has the support of retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard Drury, who has to his credit 150 combat missions in the Korean and Vietnamese conflicts.

The Texas League of Conservation Voters announced its new executive director, Elizabeth Doyel, on Tuesday. Doyel previously worked as development director at Annie’s List. She succeeds former director David Weinberg.

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