Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that he has reappointed Donna Nelson to the Public Utility Commission for a term expiring in September 2021. Nelson has served on the commission for seven years — four of those as chairman.

Abbott named Jon Niermann of Austin to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for a term to expire Aug. 31, 2021.

Abbott named Clyde Siebman of Pottsboro as presiding officer of the Grayson County Regional Mobility Authority. His term expires Feb. 1.

Houston Independent School District superintendent Terry Grier announced Thursday afternoon that after six years he's stepping down from his post leading the state's largest school district.

Former state Rep. Lance Gooden announced his plan to seek a rematch against Rep. Stuart Spitzer, R-Kaufman, for House District 4. Gooden held the seat for two terms, but Spitzer won the spot in 2014.

Tony Adkins, an insurance agent from Lovelady, said he will run for the House District 8 seat, a position currently held by Republican Rep. Byron Cook of Corsicana.

State Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, announced Wednesday his run for a third term in House District 11.

Karen Jacobs, a 20-year resident of Heath, confirmed Friday she will be running for the House District 33 seat in 2016 as a Democrat. Republican Rep. Scott Turner has held the seat for two terms but announced in June he will not be seeking re-election.

State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, announced he would run for a third term in House District 67.

State Rep. Walter T. "Four" Price, R-Amarillo, said Tuesday that he is running for a fourth term to represent House District 87.

Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann on Wednesday announced that her re-election effort has the backing of state Sen. Donna Campbell; Pat Carlson, former head of the Texas Eagle Forum; Ann Hettinger, state director of Concerned Women for America; and Adrian Murray, co-founder of the 912 project. Also, 18 State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) members have endorsed Lehrmann.

David Barton, a Texas-based evangelical leader who founded the WallBuilders group, has signed on with the network of super PACs working to put U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in the White House.

State Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, received the endorsement of the Harris County Deputies’ Organization on Thursday in his bid for Houston mayor.

George Kelemen is taking over as president and CEO of the Texas Retailers Association (TRA). He is returning to Texas after more than a dozen years. Most recently, he has served as senior vice president for Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), a job he will have until mid-October.

Disclosure: The Texas Retailers Association is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.