Everything for Houston’s SD-6 runoff is set — except the date. Former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia and state Rep. Carol Alvarado survived the first round on Saturday, getting 45.4 percent and 41.6 percent, respectively. The winner of the runoff — date to be set by the governor — will succeed the late Mario Gallegos in the Texas Senate.
House Democrats elected Yvonne Davis of Dallas as leader of their caucus and Chris Turner of Grand Prairie as their chair, surprising members (and watchers) who expected either Abel Herrero of Portland or Armando Walle of Houston in one of those slots. Davis replaces Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, who decided not to seek another term.
The Mexican American Legislative Caucus elected its officers: Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, chairman; Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, vice chair; Ana Hernandez Luna, D-Houston, legal counsel; Armando Martinez, D-Edinburg, secretary; and Mary Gonzalez, D-El Paso, treasurer.
Elizabeth Ames Jones has a new gig as senior policy advisor at Patton Boggs. The former state representative and railroad commissioner will split her time between the firm’s Washington and Texas offices.
Former Rep. Jerry Madden, R-Plano, is joining Right on Crime, a criminal justice offshoot of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Madden was chairman of the House Committee on Corrections.
Wayne Wilson is now the deputy executive commissioner for procurement and contracting with the Health and Human Services Commission, a new position there.
Karey Barton is hanging out his own consulting shingle (tax policy, legislation and such) after several years with Ryan & Co. and a long stint at the comptroller’s office before that.
Ken Whalen is starting his own lobby practice after 11 years with the Texas Daily Newspaper Association. He’s a former legislative staffer and newspaper reporter.
Gov. Rick Perry appointed Robert Cadena of Del Rio, an assistant U.S. Attorney, as judge of the 83rd Judicial District Court in Val Verde, Pecos and Terrell counties.
Perry appointed Michael Welborn of Aransas Pass the new district attorney for Aransas and San Patricio counties. Welborn is a state district judge.
Both will serve until the next general election.
