EDDIE LUCIO III

The Brownsville Democrat said his resignation will be effective Jan. 31. That sets up a potential special election to finish his term, though whoever wins would only serve for a short time.

Earlier this week, City Commissioner Frank Puente announced he won’t seek a second term in the May 7 election, deciding to run for the state House of Representatives’ District 37 seat being vacated by Eddie Lucio III, D-Brownsville, who won’t run for re-election.

The Brownsville Democrat, who made the announcement Thursday, has served in the upper chamber since 1991.

Texas Republicans are on the verge of creating a newly competitive state House seat in the Rio Grande Valley as they push to go on the offensive in South Texas next year.

The likely new district comes as Texas Republicans continue to try to make new inroads in South Texas after the 2020 election.

It was one of the first cooler days of fall and the sky was that brilliant South Texas blue. We stood on a street corner several blocks from Russell Elementary School in West Brownsville — a group of Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) administrators and teachers.

With proposed maps out, U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, says he might switch to a neighboring district where U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, is retiring. The initial maps are also sure to impact decisions in regional legislative races.

State Rep. Eddie Lucio III, Brownsville, announced on Friday that he will not seek reelection in 2022.

The group of lawmakers fled the state to deny Republicans a quorum and prevent passage of an elections bill.

Texas Democrats on Saturday blocked a quorum in the House for the third time this year as the Legislature kicked off its second special legislative session.

Texas Democrats are still refusing to return to the state Capitol.

Both chambers convened at noon Saturday for a second overtime round ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott. The first 30-day stretch ended in an impasse after House Democrats left the state to block a controversial GOP elections bill.

Pre-pandemic, the Texas state Capitol during legislative sessions has been a flurry of crowded hearings, hand shaking, protests, lobbying and people vying for the attention of their state lawmakers. Here are some ways Texans can connect with their lawmakers safely this legislative session. Virtual meetingsIndividual lawmakers will decide whether their offices are open to members of the public. Raymond said especially during the session, it is important for lawmakers to be accessible to the public, but in-person meetings are too high a risk. Capriglione said he will also be available to people virtually and people should feel comfortable contacting lawmakers remotely.