Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Thursday the appointment of 31 members to a task force on infectious disease preparedness and response. Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt was named director of the task force.

Abbott appointed Gerald Ladner Sr. of Austin to the Risk Management Board and reappointed Rosemary Gammon of Plano. They were named to terms to expire Feb. 1, 2021. In addition, Abbott named Lloyd Gardner of Lubbock as the board’s presiding officer.

Ted Cruz's presidential campaign on Tuesday announced the endorsement of Jeff Duncan, a congressman from the first-in-the-South primary state of South Carolina.

A Georgia-based tea party group, the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund, has decided to endorse Russ Ramsland, a primary challenger looking to unseat House Rules Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Dallas. Ramsland is one of four candidates challenging the incumbent Sessions in the mostly Dallas County-based CD-32.

TEXPAC, the political arm of the Texas Medical Association, announced on Thursday its final batch of endorsements for the March 1 party primary elections. The highlights include a dual endorsement of Dawn Buckingham and Susan King for the open SD-24 GOP primary, an endorsement of the incumbent Stuart Spitzer in the contested HD-4 primary and the endorsement of Bryan Hughes in the open SD-1 GOP primary.

The National Women’s Political Caucus of Texas released an endorsement list numbering 33 candidates. Highlights here include a dual endorsement of Gina Hinojosa and Heather Way in the open HD-49 Democratic contest to succeed Austin Democratic state Rep. Elliott Naishtat. In addition, the group endorsed Helen Madla, the widow of former state Sen. Frank Madla, in her challenge to incumbent state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, in the SD-19 Democratic primary.

Former state Rep. Lon Burnam said on Friday that he’s received an endorsement from former Houston Mayor Bill White in his bid to win the Democratic nomination for Railroad Commissioner.

SD-24 Republican candidate Brent Mayes has won the endorsement of the political arm of the anti-abortion group, Texas Right to Life.

State Rep. Tan Parker, chairman of the House Republican caucus, is endorsing incumbent state Rep. Dan Flynn in his re-election for House District 2, east of Dallas. Flynn also received endorsements this week from the National Rifle Association’s Political Victory Fund, the Texas State Rifle Association and former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.

Republican Terry Wilson has earned the support of former radio host Sgt. Sam Cox in his race to unseat state Rep. Marsha Farney, R-Georgetown, in HD-20, north of Austin. Cox was the co-host of “Austin’s Morning News with Mark, Ed and Sgt. Sam” on KLBJ until his retirement last summer.

The political arm of Texans for Lawsuit Reform endorsed on Tuesday state Rep. Paul Workman, R-Austin, for re-election to represent HD-47 in southern and western Travis County.

The Texas Municipal Police Association endorsed Bedford pastor Scott Fisher over state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, in the race for HD-92 in Tarrant County.

The Texas Municipal Police Association and the Dallas Police Association are supporting Republican Andrew Piel in his efforts to unseat state Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, in Tarrant County’s HD-94.

State Sen. Don Huffines, R-Dallas, is endorsing Dallas lawyer Dan Morenoff in his bid to unseat state Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, in HD-114 in Dallas County.

HD-115 GOP challenger Bennett Ratliff announced on Friday an endorsement from the Texas Municipal Police Association in his bid to unseat the incumbent Matt Rinaldi.

The Texas Hospital Association PAC and the Texas Dental Association PAC are supporting Republican Kevin Roberts in his bid to be the next state representative in HD-126 in Harris County. The candidate also received late last week endorsements from the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT), the Houston Police Retired Officers Association (HPROA), and the TMPA.

Republican Tom Oliverson has earned the support of the Texas Values Action PAC and the United Republicans of Harris County in his race for state representative in HD-130.

The Texas Oil and Gas Association PAC is endorsing state Rep. Sarah Davis, R-University Place, for re-election to the Houston-area HD-134 seat.

Annie’s List announced on Monday the addition of four new board members: Jade Chang Sheppard of Austin; Rita Lucido of Houston; Yvonne Morales Pelayo of San Antonio; and Joyce Townsend of San Antonio.

The Texas Travel Industry Association and the Texas Commercial Airports Association announced last week that they will join forces in advocating for the travel industry in the state. The TTIA’s Homero Lucero and Ron Hinkle will expand their respective duties to also represent the TCAA.

Disclosure: The Texas Medical Association, the Texas Hospital Association, the Texas Dental Association, the Texas Travel Industry Association are corporate sponsors of The Texas Tribune. Paul and Sherry Workman, Jerry Patterson, Jade Chang Sheppard and Elliott Naishtat are donors to The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.