Gov. Greg Abbott appointed three people last week to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists — Bereket Derie of Round Rock and Steven Fleming of Midland, who are both licensed professional geoscientists, and Lindsey Bradford of Edna, owner of The Car Lot and L2 Cattle Company. All three will serve terms to expire Feb. 1, 2021.
Abbott appointed Lesli Ginn of Austin as Chief Administrative Law Judge for the State Office of Administrative Hearings, effective May 1. She has worked in the Texas Attorney General’s Office for a decade, and is currently chief of the financial litigation and charitable trusts division.
Brad Livingston, who's led the Texas Department of Criminal Justice since 2004, plans to retire in August, he announced last Friday. He began at the department in 1997 as deputy director of the financial services division. He was appointed interim executive director for TDCJ in 2004 and formally given the job in 2005.
State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, announced last week that he was promoting legislative director Lauren Young to chief of staff. Young will replace Mary McClure, who will transition into a new role as district and communications director.
The Texas Hospital Association announced last week it’s hired Sara Gonzalez, formerly chief of staff for state Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, as vice president of advocacy and public policy. Prior to her stint with Garcia, Gonzalez worked for state Sens. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville and Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio.
Emerge America, which recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office across he country, announced last week that former state Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth has joined the group’s board.
Railroad Commission runoff candidate Wayne Christian has won endorsements from state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, and state Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls.
SD-24 runoff candidate Dawn Buckingham has been endorsed by the Texas Home School Association, Llano County Commissioner Peter Jones and former Bandera County Chair and former SREC member Kim Hesley.
SD-24 runoff candidate Susan King was endorsed by the political arm of the Texas Hospital Association.
HD-54 runoff candidate Scott Cosper has been endorsed by state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, the current occupant of the seat.
HD-139 runoff candidate Kimberly Willis was endorsed by state Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston.
CD-19 runoff candidate Glen Robertson received an endorsement from the Texas Home School Association.
CD-19 runoff candidate Jodey Arrington received an endorsement from former Gov. Rick Perry.
Republican Party of Texas Chairman Tom Mechler has had his re-election campaign endorsed by state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, and the Texas Alliance for Life PAC.
Vision America founder Rick Scarborough announced Thursday that he’s endorsing former Harris County GOP Chairman Jared Woodfill in his challenge to Mechler for Republican Party of Texas chairman.
Disclosure: The Texas Hospital Association is a corporate sponsor of the Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.