Bena Glasscock of Adrian is the Child Services Coordinator for Hereford Independent School District and serves as the campus counselor for the Hereford Center for Accelerated Learning, the alternative high school program. She is a member and former president of the Texas School Counselor Association and a member of the Texas Counseling Association, Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, American School Counselor Association, Lone Star State School Counselor Association, and the High Plains Counseling Association. Additionally, she is a teacher at Adrian Church of Christ and a former campus coordinator for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Glasscock received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, a Master of Education in Counseling from Tarleton State University, and a Principal Certification from West Texas A&M University. 

Brandon Brock, D.N.P., D.C. of Sunnyvale Texas is a doctorate level certified family nurse practitioner and a clinician at Carpathia Collaborative in Dallas Texas. Brock holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic from Parker University and a Doctorate in Family Nursing Practice from Duke University while having post-doctorate training as a Global Clinical Research Scholar from Harvard Medical School. He has also attended Duke Medical Center for specialization in orthopedics and has completed a fellowship in regenerative medicine. He is currently working on a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) at Texas Woman’s University.

Kara Chasteen of Bertram was an educator and worked in insurance services before spending timing raising her children. She formerly served on the Board of Directors for the Burnet County Livestock Show, the Williamson/Burnet Counties Opportunities Board and has worked to raise money for 4H & FFA Clubs for many years. Chasteen received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Tarleton State University and Master of Education in IT from West Texas A&M University.

Anne Esquivel, Ph.D. of New Braunfels is a clinical psychologist and owner of Mind Works. She is a member of the American Association of Play Therapists and is former president of the Bexar County Psychological Association. Esquivel received a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Auburn University at Montgomery, a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from National University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from the United States International University. 

Lisa Formby of Hereford a school nurse at Hereford ISD. She is the past president and current secretary of Texas School Nurses Organization and a member of the National Association of School Nurses and Region 16 School Nurses. She is a board member of BRIDGE and a former board member of the American Red Cross. She also volunteers with the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. Formby received a nursing degree from Northwest Texas Hospital School of Nursing.

Dan Freeland, D.O. of Lakeway is an Osteopathic Physician, owner, and medical director for Bee Caves Family Practice. He is past president and current member of the Texas Society of American College of Osteopathic Family Practice. Additionally, he is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice, and serves as chair of the Osteopathic Clinical Research Committee and vice-chair of the credentials committee. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, Texas Osteopathic Medical Associate, American Osteopathic College of Occupational and Preventative Medicine, Texas Medical Association, and Travis County Medical Society. Freeland received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Truman State University and a Doctor of Osteopathy from AT Still University Medical School. He served as a Captain in the medical corps and was honorable discharged from the United States Air Force.

Sarah Garrett of Spicewood is the Founder and Executive Director of the Phoenix Center and a Registered Play Therapist and licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience with children and families. She is a member of NASW and the American Association for Play Therapy.  She volunteered with CASA. Garrett received a Bachelor of Arts in Art from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Houston.

Suzanne Gazda, M.D. of San Antonio is a senior partner of the Neurology Institute of San Antonio and owner and director of Gazda Integrative Neurology. She is also co-director of the PANS and PANDAS Center of South Texas. She is a member of the International Society of Environmental Medicine, American Academy of Neurology, American Society of Antiaging Medicine, Texas Neurological Association, ILADS, and the Institute of Functional Medicine. Gazda received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from The University of Texas at Austin and a Doctor of Medicine from The University of Texas Health Science Center Medical School.

Lisa Hardy is the former president and executive director of the Children’s Autoimmune Brain Disorder Association which merged with Alliance to Solve PANS and Immune Related Encephalopathies. Hardy graduated from Georgia Baptist School of Nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse for 10 years in surgical and open heart intensive care. She currently serves as an advisor for the Alliance to Solve PANS Board.

Qazi Javed, M.D. of Austin is a psychiatrist at Integrated Psychiatry-Austin. He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians, Texas Medical Association, Integrative Providers of Austin, and Austin Wellness Collaborative. Javed received a Bachelor of Medicine at King Edward Medical College and a Bachelor of Science at Punjab University.

Paula Kruppstadt, M.D. of The Woodlands is the owner, CEO, and medical director at Hope for Healing. She is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, and member of the American Academy of Ozone Therapy, International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, and International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness. Kruppstadt received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at The University of Texas at Dallas and a Doctor of Medicine degree at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She completed a Pediatric Internship and Residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. She served in United States Army Medical Corps and was honorably discharged in 1995. Before opening her functional medicine and general pediatrics practice in 2015, she worked as a general pediatrician in various venues, including Texas Children’s Pediatrics and Texas Children’s Urgent Care, and she also served as a pediatric hospitalist and faculty for Baylor College of Medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital in The Woodlands, Texas.

Sharon Lemons of Saginaw is the Dietitian Sr of MHMR of Tarrant County. She currently serves as the House of Delegates Representative for the Behavioral Health Nutrition Council Dietary Practice Group. Lemons received an undergraduate degree in Dietetics and Institutional Administration and a graduate degree in nutrition at Texas Woman’s University.

Amy Offutt, M.D. of Marble Falls is the medical director and owner of Heart and Soul Integrative Health and Yoga. She is a member of the Texas Medical Association. Offutt received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Abilene Christian University, a Doctor of Medicine at The University of Texas Health San Antonio, a Master of Arts in Integrative Medicine at George Washington University, and completed her family medicine residency at Christus Santa Rosa in San Antonio.

Nathan Pullen of Austin is the Autism Coordinator of Texas Education Agency. He is a member of the Association for Applied Behavior Analysis, Texas Association for Behavior Analysis, Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, Council for Exceptional Children, and National Association of Special Education Teachers. Pullen received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Ethics from Baylor University and a Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis: Autism from Texas State University. Pullen ​is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, certified teacher, and also received his Principal Certification from Lamar University.

The Governor thanked DHR Health's hospital leaders, doctors, and staff for their life-saving work and Senator Chuy Hinojosa for helping secure funding for the designation. He also thanked Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Representative Eddie Lucio III, and members of the Texas Legislature for their work on Senate Bill 827.

Senate Bill 827 limits the co-pays to $25 for each insulin prescription per month for insured Texans on state-regulated health plans, was passed during the regular session of the 87th Legislature and became law on September 1, 2021. 

"DHR Health's Level 1 Trauma Center designation is a monumental step in securing better healthcare for Texans in the Rio Grande Valley," said Governor Abbott. "Thank you to the leaders and healthcare professionals at DHR Health for their efforts to earn this designation and for their outstanding service to this community. As we work to build a healthier future for this region ― and all of Texas ― we must also address the rising cost of insulin, which is having a significant impact on the Rio Grande Valley. That is why I am proud to have signed Senate Bill 827, bringing major financial relief to Texans with diabetes here in the Rio Grande Valley and across the Lone Star State."

Ruben A. Martinez of Premont is President and CEO of Zenitram Enterprises LLC. He served on the Youth Advisory Board for the National Institute of Health and the COVID Prevention Network. He is the former President of the Chancellors Student Advisory Council for the Texas A&M System and former Student Body President at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Martinez is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree at Texas A&M University–Kingsville.

Bob Wetmore of Austin is principal and founding partner of Cornerstone Architects, L.L.P. He has served on the boards of Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) of Travis County, Austin Boys’ Choir, the Home Builders Association and Custom Residential Architects Network as an architectural representative. A graduate of the Leadership Austin program, he works with many volunteer and advocacy organizations throughout the city of Austin. Wetmore received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the College of Engineering at Texas Tech University.

Sid Harle of San Antonio has served as the Presiding Judge of the Fourth Administrative Judicial Region since August 2017, and is the former Judge of the 226th Judicial District Court in Bexar County, having served over 29 years. He is a member of the Pattern Jury Charge Committee of the State Bar of Texas, including its Criminal Section and Judicial Section, and is chair of the Judicial Branch Certification Board. He is the former chair of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct and the Texas Court Reporters Certification Board and former member of the Business Criminal Council Board and San Antonio Bar Association Board of Directors. Additionally, he is a volunteer for the Northside ISD Mentoring Program and a founding board member of Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) and Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.). Harle received a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

WHEREAS, the resignation of the Honorable Leo Pacheco, and its acceptance, has caused a vacancy to exist in Texas State House of Representatives District No. 118, which is wholly contained within Bexar 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, Article III, Sections 5 and 40, and Article IV, Section 8 of the Texas Constitution authorize the Governor to call an extraordinary session of the legislature; and 

WHEREAS, I have called a third extraordinary session of the 87th Legislature to convene on Monday, September 20, 2021; and

WHEREAS, the vacancy in Texas State House of Representatives District No. 118 occurred on August 23, 2021, which, under Section 203.013(a)(2) of the Texas Election Code, is within the 60 days immediately prior to the date of convening any session of the legislature; 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. 118 on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, for the purpose of electing a state representative to serve out the unexpired term of the Honorable Leo Pacheco.

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 Monday, September 13, 2021.

Early voting by personal appearance shall begin on Monday, September 20, 2021 in accordance with Sections 85.001(a) and (d) of the Texas Election Code.

A copy of this order shall be mailed immediately to the Bexar County Judge, which is the county within which Texas State House of Representatives District No. 118 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. 118 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 7th day of September, 2021.  

Governor Greg Abbott

View the proclamation. 

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 Monday, September 13, 2021. 

Early voting will begin on Monday, September 20, 2021.

Read the Governor's full special election proclamation.

"The Texas Legislature now has the opportunity to redraw legislative and congressional districts in accordance with the new census numbers," said Governor Abbott. "In addition to redistricting, there are still issues remaining that are critical to building a stronger and brighter future for all Texans." 

Agenda items for the third Special Session will include: 

Legislation relating to the apportionment of the State of Texas into districts used to elect members of the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Senate, the State Board of Education, and the United States House of Representatives.

Legislation providing appropriations from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), Pub. L. No. 117-2.

Legislation identical to Senate Bill 29 as passed by the Texas Senate in the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, disallowing a student from competing in University Interscholastic League athletic competitions designated for the sex opposite to the student's sex at birth. 

Legislation regarding whether any state or local governmental entities in Texas can mandate that an individual receive a COVID-19 vaccine and, if so, what exemptions should apply to such mandate. 

Legislation similar to Senate Bill 474 as passed by the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, but that addresses the concerns expressed in the governor's veto statement. 

View the Governor's proclamation.