Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed his deputy general counsel, Don Clemmer of Austin, to the bench of the 450th Judicial District Court in Travis County.

State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, said on Monday that he's been elected to be the next leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus. He takes over for state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, who has held the post for the past two sessions.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz named a number of statewide leaders for his Cruz for President African-American coalition on Thursday. The appointees include three national co-chairs — Elbert Guillory of Louisiana, Robin Armstrong of Texas and Robert Smith of Arkansas.

Jonathan Boos, a self-described conservative Republican, is challenging incumbent Cindy Burkett for the House District 113 seat in eastern Dallas County. Boos has a law background, working as an attorney in the area.

State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, announced Tuesday he will seek re-election to the Texas House. He has held the HD-103 seat since 2005 and is the only person who has announced plans to run for the seat thus far.

Longtime Republican activist, attorney and lobbyist John Greytok will challenge Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter in next year’s GOP primary, he said Monday. It’s the first big contest for Greytok, though he’s been a precinct chair and helped in his mother Marta’s 1994 race for land commissioner against incumbent Garry Mauro.

Michael Massengale announced last week that he’s rounded up the support of eleven conservative state legislators for his run for the Texas Supreme Court. Massengale is challenging Debra Lehrmann, who has served since 2010, for the seat on the bench.

Kevin Roberts, a Republican candidate for the HD-126 seat in Harris County, announced Tuesday that 11 out of 19 Republican Party Precinct Chairs in the district have endorsed his bid for the seat.

Former Texas Department of Insurance attorney Marisol Saenz has joined Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP in its government affairs practice in Austin.