Governor Abbott Sets Special Elections For Texas House Of Representatives District 145, District 79

State Representative Joe C. Pickett announced he was stepping down from the House of Representatives in early December.

Staff Reports

On December 21, Governor Greg Abbott issued two proclamation announcing Tuesday, January 29, 2019, as the special election date to fill the Texas House of Representatives District 145 seat recently vacated by former Representative Carol Alvarado and District 79 recently vacated by Representative Joe C. Pickett.

Candidates who wish to have their names placed on the special election ballot must file their applications with the Secretary of State no later than 5:00PM on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

Early voting will begin on Monday, January 14, 2019.

State Representative Joe C. Pickett announced he was stepping down from the House of Representatives on December 15.

According to the announcement, Pickett cited the reason for his leaving office after 20 years of service was a recent cancer finding.

Read the Governor’s full special election proclamation for Texas House of Representatives District 145 can be read here.

The proclamation for the special election for Texas House of Representatives District 79 can be read below.

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

WHEREAS, the December 19, 2018 letter declining office by the Honorable Joe C. Pickett has caused a vacancy to exist in Texas State House of Representatives District No. 79, which is wholly contained within El Paso County; and

WHEREAS, Article III, Section 13 of the Texas Constitution and Section 203.002 of the Texas Election Code require that a special election be ordered upon such a vacancy, and Section 3.003 of the Texas Election Code requires the special election to be ordered by proclamation of the Governor; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 203.013(a), the vacancy occurred during the 60 days immediately prior to the date of convening the 86th Regular Legislative Session; and

WHEREAS, Section 203.013(c) of the Texas Election Code provides that an expedited special election must be held on a Tuesday or Saturday occurring not earlier than the 21st day or later than the 45th day after the date the election is ordered;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby order a special election to be held in Texas State House of Representatives District No. 79 on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, for the purpose of electing a state representative to serve out the remainder of the full term of office declined by the Honorable Joe C. Pickett.

Candidates who wish to have their names placed on the special election ballot must file their applications with the Secretary of State no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

Early voting by personal appearance shall begin on Monday, January 14, 2019, in accordance with Sections 85.001(a) and (c) of the Texas Election Code.

A copy of this order shall be mailed immediately to the El Paso County Judge which is the county within which Texas State House of Representatives District No. 79 is wholly contained, and all appropriate writs shall be issued and all proper proceedings shall be followed to the end that said election may be held to fill the vacancy in Texas State House of Representatives District No. 79 and its result proclaimed in accordance with law.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 21st day of December, 2018.

GREG ABBOTT

Governor