Wallace Jefferson, Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, announced that he will resign at the end of this month. Chief Justice Jefferson has served on the Court since 2001 when he was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry. Gov. Perry can elevate another justice on the Court to serve as chief justice or appoint a new person to serve in that role.
Today is the final day for candidates to file paperwork to run in special election to fill the House District 50 seat left vacant after former Rep. Mark Strama (D-Austin) resigned. The election will be held on November 5, 2013. Declared candidates include Democrats Jade Chang Sheppard, Celia Israel and Rico Reyes along with Republican Michael Cargill. The winner will serve the remainder of Strama’s current term which expires in January of 2015.
In other important news, the State Fair of Texas announced this year’s winners of the Big Tex Choice Awards for fried food on Monday. The “Best Taste” honor went to a deep-fried Cuban roll filled with chopped ham, pork shoulder, cheese and pickles. The honor for “Most Creative” went to a Thanksgiving dinner of stuffing, turkey and cream corn rolled into a ball and deep fried. These dishes and countless other examples of fried food will be for sale during the State Fair of Texas which runs from September 27 through Oct. 20, 2013.