Steve Hughes of El Paso was appointed justice of the 8th Court of Appeals by Gov. Rick Perry for a term to expire at the 2016 general election.

Karen Robinson has announced her retirement as executive director for the Texas Department of Information Resources and the state's chief information officer. Her retirement becomes effective at the end of the year.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott won the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business/Texas, an organization that advocates for small businesses.

GOP lieutenant governor candidate Dan Patrick won the endorsement of the political arm of the Department of Public Safety Officers Association (DPSOA).

GOP state comptroller candidate Glenn Hegar won the endorsement of the political arm of the Texas Oil & Gas Association.

Democratic HD-94 candidate Cole Ballweg won the endorsement of the Texas Parent PAC, an organization dedicated to electing public education-oriented lawmakers.

GOP SD-18 candidate Lois Kolkhorst won the endorsement of Terri Hall, anti-toll road activist and executive director of the grassroots group Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom (TURF).