Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Leslie Kinsel of Cotulla and Natalie C. Koehler of Cranfills Gap to the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Council for terms to expire on Feb. 1, 2021.

Abbott appointed Jason Cooper as chairman of the Texas Physician Assistant Board. He also appointed Victor Ho, Jorge Martinez, Karrie Lynn Crosby, Clayton “Clay” Bulls and Maribel “Monica” De Ponce to the board for terms to expire on Feb. 1, 2021. In addition, he appointed Melinda Moore Gottschalk and Jennifer Clarner to the board for terms to expire Feb. 1, 2019, and Feb. 1, 2017, respectively.

Abbott named Martha Wong of Houston and Romanita Matta-Barrera of San Antonio to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. He also reappointed Larry Holt of College Station. Terms for all three appointees expire on Sept. 28, 2021. Wong is a former state lawmaker, representing HD-134 for two terms from 2003 to 2007.

Abbott has appointed Rusty Boles, Cynthia Flores, Rick Huber, John Henry Luton, Ford Taylor and reappointed Bill Rankin and Jeff Tallas to the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. These seven were appointed to terms to expire Feb. 1, 2021. In addition, Abbott named Jarrod Smith to the river authority board for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2017.

Abbott appointed Ben Pena of Harlingen, Rosie Morris of San Marcos, Kimberly Wilkerson of Lubbock, Timothy LaFrey of Austin and Ross T. Johnson of Houston to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for terms to expire Jan. 31, 2021. He also named Coalter Baker of Austin as the board’s presiding officer.

Abbott appointed Bob Leonard of San Antonio, Rayito Stephens of Pearland and reappointed T.J. Turner of Austin to the Texas Real Estate Commission for terms to expire Jan. 31, 2021.

Land Commissioner George P. Bush named three new directors for the main divisions of the Texas General Land Office – Brian Carter will be director of the Asset Enhancement division, Matthew Elledge will be director of Veterans Programs and Ken Wisian will be director of the Coastal Protection division.

Bush also named two new members to the Alamo Endowment Board – former Secretary of State Hope Andrade and former UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa. The board oversees fundraising efforts for the historic mission.

John Keel is stepping down as state auditor on Jan. 4 after 11 years on the job and 35 years in state government.

Gary Jessee was named the state’s new Medicaid director last Friday. Jessee takes over for Kay Ghahremani, who is retiring after working for the state for 20 years.

Former state Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, has been appointed to the board of directors for the National Center for Public Policy Analysis.

Jon Cobb dropped out of the race for SD-24 on Monday because of “recent family medical concerns.” His departure leaves six Republicans in the field to succeed Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay.

Texas Right to Life’s political arm endorsed Stephenville businessman Brent Graves for HD-59 on Thursday. Graves is challenging incumbent state Rep. J.D. Sheffield, R-Gatesville, for the spot.

The Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC announced on Wednesday that it has endorsed state Rep. Doug Miller, R-New Braunfels, for re-election to the HD-73 seat he's represented since 2009. Miller is facing a primary challenger in Kyle Biedermann of Fredericksburg.

HD-121 candidate Jeff Judson announced that he has the backing of 27 members, or almost half, of the State Republican Executive Committee in his challenge to Speaker Joe Straus to represent the Bexar County House seat.

Longtime Rick Perry aide Rob Johnson has launched a new venture, Johnson Strategies, which bills itself as a “full-service communications firm” with a focus on campaign strategy, voter outreach, crisis management and media preparation. He is teaming with creative director Ben Price in the venture.

Aaron Whitehead, who was serving as the Republican Party of Texas' communications director, stepped down last week to join Florida-based Majority Strategies. The firm's new Texas shop plans to be active in the 2016 election cycle at the state level. The RPT is making Michael Joyce its communications coordinator.

The Texas Retailers Association announced on Monday that it has hired George Kelemen as its new president and CEO.

The Independent Bankers Association of Texas announced Wednesday that Meredyth Fowler will serve as legislative counsel for the group. Fowler previously worked in Texas House Speaker Joe Straus' office. "I relied heavily on her advice and counsel on a number of important issues, as did many of my House colleagues," Straus said. "She will be greatly missed, but I have no doubt that she will continue to succeed as she begins this next chapter in her career."

Deaths: Roberta Hicks, 84, past president of the Texas Democratic Women and a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee for SD-31.

Disclosure: The Texas Retailers Association is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. The Independent Bankers Association of Texas was a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune from 2011-13. The Texas General Land Office has been a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.