Convenience Big Store: Abbott, Democrats spar over delay in calling of special election

SPRING SALE! 25¢ for 3 Months

Make a fresh start with full access.

Spring Sale Ends April 6
Cancel Anytime.

Well, folks. Same song, different verse in the ongoing Republican Gov. Greg Abbott versus blue Harris County fight. The latest battlezone? Texas' 18th Congressional District where constituents have been without representation for about a month after the death of former Houston mayor and longtime state lawmaker Sylvester Turner.

Abbott is blaming Harris County's poor election management skills for the delay, saying that if he had called an election "very quickly," officials would not have been able to handle it.

Christian Menefee, the acting county attorney who also is running for the seat, isn't buying it and called the reasoning "nonsense."

Texas law only specifies that Abbott call a special election "as soon as practicable." He could technically call an emergency special election at any time, but a regular special has to fall on a regular election day. With May off the table, that leaves the November election.

As The Beatles, and now Abbott, said: "There's going to be a time."

Taylor Goldenstein, Austin Bureau reporter

taylor.goldenstein@houstonchronicle.com

Who's Up, Who's Down

A daily stock market-style report on key players in Texas politics.

Up: Space X.

SpaceX could have more control over the public beach near its South Texas launch pad, if a bill that passed the Texas Senate continues to advance. Senate Bill 2188 would allow officials at a future Starbase city to decide when Boca Chica Beach is closed for rocket tests and flights that occur on weekdays. It passed the Senate 21-10 on Thursday.

Down: San Antonio.

The city of San Antonio is facing a suit from Attorney General Ken Paxton after it narrowly approved a plan to contribute money to a nonprofit that funds the travel expenses of women seeking out-of-state abortions. Paxton has already sued the city of Austin over a similar plan.

What do you think? Hit reply and let me know.

What else is going on in Texas

People work on a drilling rig as the sun sets Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in Pecos.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer

Houston oil companies could cut jobs as Trump's tariffs threaten industry

Houston oil companies are trimming jobs to weather the storm. It remains unclear how far prices will fall, but they're already battening down the hatches.

Governor Greg Abbott greets supporters at San Antonio Christian School on Monday February 17, 2025, after giving a speech to promote school vouchers.

Photo by: Jessica Phelps

Harris County attorney fires back at Abbott's blame game over Turner seat delay

U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner's seat in Congress has been left open for nearly a month following his unexpected death in March.

People walk through a sensitive wildlife habitat to see SpaceX's Starship ahead of a planned launch Wednesday, March 13, 2024, near a SpaceX facility in Boca Chica.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer

Texas Senate passes bill to give SpaceX more control over beach closures

Senate Bill 2188, which would allow officials at a future Starbase city to decide when Boca Chica Beach is closed on weekdays, passed the Senate and will go to the House.

Photo by: yasmeen khalifa

The Houston City Council is considering giving the late Sylvester Turner his own tribute street. Turner, the late mayor of Houston who had just started his first term as a member of U.S. Congress, died at 70 on March 5 following health complications. City Hall reporter Abby Church has the story.

What else I'm reading

It melted my heart a little to read about these Pflugerville students who decided to spend their precious spring break leading a seminar on how students can become more civically engaged. KUT's Becky Fogel reported on how two students co-founded Beyond Boundaries, a student-led organization that focuses on empowering Texas teenagers.