With offices opening due to elections that have taken place and elections that have not ocurred yet, we can expect multiple special elections to finalize the membership of the 84th Legislative Session.
SD-18
After being elected as the Comptroller of Public Accounts Senator Glenn Hegar submitted a letter to Gov. Rick Perry stating his intention to resign from his Senate seat effective December 5th. Perry then called a December 6th special election to fill the seat. As of November 21, five candidates have filed to run for SD-18; Republicans Gary Gates, Charles Gregory, sitting State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Democrats Cindy Drabek and Christian Hawkins.
HD-13
If Kolkhorst is successful in her bid for SD-18 a special election will be necessary to fill her House seat, HD-13. Two Republicans have already filed to run for HD-13, Becky Berger and Carolyn Bilski.
HD-123
In a letter to Gov. Rick Perry, Rep. Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio) noted his intent to run for Mayor of San Antonio but will serve the rest of his current House term which ends January 13, 2014. Perry has yet to call a special election to fill the seat but multiple Democrats have already filed to run in the impending special election and others are rumored to be running. Melissa Aguillon and Diego Bernal have filed and Nate Alonzo, Cristina Carter and Ken Mireles are rumored.
SD-26
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio) has also stated her intent to run for Mayor of San Antonio. Van de Putte’s intention is to resign her seat once a new senator is elected to fill her seat in a special election. Perry has not yet called a special election but two House Democrats have already announced that they will run for Van de Putte’s Senate seat, Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio) and Rep. Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio). If either of the two State Reps. were to win the Senate seat another special election would be necessary to fill that House seat.