The San Antonio federal court considering the state’s redistricting lawsuits issued an order last week that allows the March 4, 2014 primaries to proceed under the redistricting maps adopted by the 83rd Legislature during the First Called Session. The court agreed to consider claims by Democrats, minorities and civil rights groups that the current maps discriminate against minorities, but they left the maps in place for the upcoming primaries.
Governor Rick Perry appointed Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht as Chief Justice of the Court. Hecht was first elected to the Supreme Court of Texas in 1988 and is currently the senior justice on the Court.
Rep. Rob Orr (R-Burleson) announced that he will not seek reelection to his House District 58 seat. Orr has served in the Texas House since 2004.
Former state representative Wayne Christian announced he will be a candidate in the Republican primary for the open spot on the Texas Railroad Commission. Christian joins five other Republicans in that race.
Gov. Rick Perry appointed Roberto De Hoyos of Austin to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2019. De Hoyos is the director of institutional relations at Tenaris North America, and former principal of Ryan LLC, a corporate tax service firm.