Political People and their Moves

More lawmakers announced plans this week that they plan to run for re-election. Here's a quick list:

  • Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, for the Galveston County-based House District 24. He took office in 2013.
  • Ed Thompson, R-Pearland, for the Brazoria County-based House District 29. He took office in 2013.
  • John Wray, R-Waxahachie, for House District 10, which covers Ellis County and part of Henderson County. He took office in 2015.
  • Cindy Burkett, R-Sunnyvale, for House District 113 in Dallas County, which she's represented since 2013. She was first elected in 2010 from House District 101.
  • Dan Huberty, R-Houston, for House District 127 in Harris County. He first took office in 2011.
  • Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, for House District 21, which covers part of Jefferson County and all of Orange County. He first took office in 2015.
  • State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, for Senate District 20, which he's represented since 2003.

Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a handful of senior staff appointments this week. They are David Maxwell, director of Law Enforcement; Adrienne McFarland, deputy attorney general for Criminal Justice; and Rudy Montoya, chief information officer.

GOP Senate District 1 candidate Bryan Hughes received endorsements from Texas Right to Life and a quartet of conservative leaders: Liberty Institute President Kelly Shackelford, Texas Eagle Forum President Cathie Adams, Concerned Women for America State Director Ann Hettinger and Heidi Group President Carol Everett.

Former San Antonio Congressman Charlie Gonzalez has joined the international Ogletree Deakins law firm to advise and represent businesses in labor and employment law.

Jeff Yates has been named the new director of the Conservative Republicans of Texas political action committee. He is a Houston-based political consultant and former executive director of the Harris County Republican Party.

Jerome Greener is the new state director for Texas’ chapter of Americans for Prosperity. He had held the position on an acting basis during the recently concluded legislative session and was offered the job on a permanent basis based on his performance during the session.

Mike Collier, who ran last year as the Democratic nominee for state comptroller, announced that he has a new gig: finance co-chair of the Texas Democratic Party.

Houston mayoral candidate Bill King has named Sarah Pennington Tropoli to his campaign team as neighborhood consultant.