Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Margaret Martin and Rolando Pablos and reappointed Gary Aber to the Texas Racing Commission for terms to expire on Feb. 1, 2021. Pablos is a familiar face at the commission, having served on the commission from 2007-11, serving much of that time as chair. Aber, the holdover appointment, was one of three commissioners who voted earlier this summer to defy lawmakers and keep historical racing.
Abbott also appointed David Saunders of Waxahachie for a term to expire Jan. 31, 2019, and Ryan Hutchison of Austin for a term to expire Jan. 31, 2021, to the governing board for the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD).
Abbott announced on Monday that he's reappointing Brint Ryan to the University of North Texas System Board of Regents. Abbott also named Dallas businessman A.K. Mago and former Southwest Airlines executive Laura Wright to the board.
Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday afternoon announced several new appointments to his senior staff. They are: Angela Colmenero, chief of the General Litigation Division; Amanda Crawford, associate deputy for general and legal counsel; Lesli Ginn, chief of the Financial Litigation and Charitable Trusts Division; Pricilla Hubenack, chief of the Environmental Protection Division; Austin R. Nimocks, associate deputy attorney general for Special Litigation; Al Ochoa, deputy director for policy, legal and program operations; Robert O’Keefe, division chief of the Tax Division; and Patrick K. Sweeten, senior counsel for civil litigation.
Texas State University Chancellor Brian McCall announced Tuesday that John Hayek, the current associate vice chancellor and chief of staff for academic affairs at the system, will serve as the vice chancellor in the same department.
Retired Col. Michael Bob Starr on Wednesday made his candidacy official for Texas' 19th congressional district, promising to use his military background to keep the state and country safe. Starr, a former commander at Dyess Air Force Base outside Abilene, had signaled his intent to run in September. He joins an already crowded field of Republicans vying to succeed Randy Neugebauer of Lubbock, who is not seeking re-election next year.
Donald Trump on Monday named Texas tea party activist Katrina Pierson as the national spokeswoman for his presidential campaign. Pierson rose to prominence when she unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions of Dallas last year in the GOP primary.
Ted Cruz's presidential campaign has hired a former Iowa adviser to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. David Polyansky, who is based in Houston, has joined Cruz's team as a senior adviser focused on communications and politics.
The Cruz campaign also announced it was rounding out its team in Alabama, naming Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks its chairman there. Alabama is one of the states (along with Texas) holding its primary on March 1.
Former Gov. Mark White on Thursday endorsed state Rep. Sylvester Turner in the Houston mayoral runoff. White, a Democrat, served as governor from 1983 to 1987. Former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, who came in third in the Nov. 3 mayoral election, endorsed Turner late last week. Turner on Wednesday received the endorsement of another former opponent in the Houston mayoral race, City Councilman Steve Costello.
SD-24 candidate Dawn Buckingham announced Tuesday that Austin Pregnancy Resource Center President Lori Devillez has given a personal endorsement of her candidacy.
More than a dozen past and current Harris County elected officials are backing Kevin Roberts in his run for the open seat in HD-126. The list includes Sheriff Ron Hickman, County Commissioner Jack Cagle, District Clerk Chris Daniel and Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman. Among the former officials backing Roberts are former state Rep. Peggy Hamric and former state Sen. Jon Lindsay.
Annie’s List announced Tuesday that Genevieve Van Cleve has been brought in as the group’s political director and Laurie Felker Jones will join its political department and oversee incumbent protection efforts. Van Cleve served as deputy political director from 2009 to 2013 for the group dedicated to electing Democratic women to the Legislature.
Carl S. Richie Jr., chairman of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin, is set to serve as the vice president for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment. Richie's term is two years.
Disclosure: The Texas State University System, the University of North Texas and Southwest Airlines are corporate sponsors of The Texas Tribune. Brian McCall and Carl Richie are donors to The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.