Representative Joe Pickett (D-El Paso) has announced he will resign effective January 4 due to health concerns, ahead of the 13th term to which he was recently elected. With Pickett’s resignation, two special elections will be called for Texas House seats ahead of or during the 86th Legislative session: Pickett’s own seat in HD 79 and Rep. Carol Alvarado’s seat in HD 145, which was left vacant after her election to SD 6. As the vacancies for HD 79 and HD 145 occurred close to the 86th Session convening, according to statute the special election for each seat will need to be held between the 21st and 45th day after it is ordered by Governor Greg Abbott.
Rep. Joe Pickett Resigning Due to Health Concerns, Two Texas House Seats Vacant ahead of 86th
