Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Ryan Larson of Hutto judge for the 395th Judicial District Court, based in Williamson County. Currently head administrative law judge at the Railroad Commission, he also counts a stint in then AG Abbott’s shop as assistant attorney general. He’s also the GOP nominee for the seat in the general election, having won the March primary election.
Abbott named Stuart W. Stedman of Houston vice chairman of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Stedman was appointed to the board on March 9 for a term to expire Aug. 31, 2021.
Alston Beinhorn of Catarina and Mary Beth Delano of Corpus Christi were appointed by Abbott to the Nueces River Authority Board of Directors for terms to expire Feb. 1, 2017. Additionally, Dan Leyendecker of Corpus Christi and Trace Burton of San Antonio were appointed for terms to expire Feb. 1, 2019.
Abbott appointed three people — Bret McCoy of Omaha, Mike Sandefur of Texarkana and Katie Stedman of Mount Pleasant — to the Sulphur River Basin Authority Board of Directors for terms to expire Feb. 1, 2021.
Abbott appointed Aaron Bulkley of Hunt to the Upper Guadalupe River Authority for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2019.
Trey Hill and Kelly Lovell, both of Friendswood, were appointed by Abbott to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Galveston County Ports for terms to expire on Feb. 1, 2020.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been named to the executive committee of the Republican Lieutenant Governor’s Association (RLGA), which touts itself as the only national organization supporting Republican lieutenant governors and candidates. Patrick announced that he will host the RLGA in Austin this June, marking the first time the group has met in Texas.
The Texas Association of Business’ PAC announced this week its choices in the GOP primary runoff elections. It endorsed two House incumbents — New Braunfels' Doug Miller (HD-73) and Baytown’s Wayne Smith (HD-128) — and Bryan Hughes and Susan King for the open seats in SD-1 and SD-24, respectively. Other endorsements included: Jodey Arrington (CD-19); Ernest Bailes (HD-18); Justin Holland (HD-32); Scott Cosper (HD-54); and Lynn Stucky (HD-64).
Democratic HD-27 runoff candidate Angelique Bartholomew announced an endorsement Wednesday from the African-American Police Officers League (AAPOL).
Justin Holland, Republican candidate in the runoff election to represent the North Texas-based HD-33, announced Thursday an endorsement from the Dallas Police Association.
Todd Kimbriel, who is currently the deputy executive director for the state’s Department of Information Resources, is adding an additional title — chief information officer for the state of Texas. He served for a spell as the interim executive director at DIR before the hire of Stacey Napier for the position.
Ryan, the influential tax services firm, announced Friday that it has hired former Rick Perry presidential campaign manager Jeff Miller to lead the advocacy and legislative affairs teams for its newly formed Ryan Advocacy group. He will work out of Ryan’s Austin office.
Disclosure: The Texas Association of Business and Ryan are corporate sponsors of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.