State Senate District 14

Texas 30th District State Senator Pat Fallon resigned Sunday, Aug. 23, which opened a vacancy for the position which covers a 14-county area, including Young County. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott made a proclamation the day of his resignation to host an emergency election for the position in September.

The Texas 30th District State Senator position covers Archer, Clay, Cooke, Erath, Grayson, Jack, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Wichita, Wise, Young and parts of Collin and Denton counties. Due to the vacancy opening on Aug. 23, the Texas Election Code states that a special election must be held on the first uniform date occurring on or after the 36th day after the date the election was ordered, unless held as an emergency election.

Since the only uniform election date remaining in 2020 is Nov. 3, a runoff for that election under the Texas Election Code could be held at the earliest possible date in late Jan. 2021. This date will leave those within the 30th District without representation for when the 87th Legislature convenes in regular session.

“It is imperative to ensure that Texas State Senate District No. 30 is fully represented and has an effective voice in the Texas Senate when the 87th Legislature convenes its regular session, particularly in light of the declared disaster that continues to exist for all counties contained within Texas State Senate District No. 30 as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19),” Abbott wrote in the proclamation.

Texas Election Code gives Gov. Abbott the authority to order a special election before the appropriate uniform election date in November, but it must be held on a Tuesday or Saturday on or after the 36th day and before the 50th day after he orders the election. Due to this the election will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 29 to fill the unexpired term of Fallon. Early voting by special appearance will begin Monday, Sept. 14.

Candidates who wanted to file to be on the special election ballot must have filed their application with the Texas Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28. One of the candidates who filed for the position as of Wednesday is current Texas District 68 Rep. Drew Springer.

In announcing his candidacy, Rep. Springer said, “After much encouragement, I am excited to announce my bid for the Texas Senate.” Springer continued, “Texas is under attack from the liberal left, and we must stand up to keep Texas the state we all know and love. I will continue to fight for our values in the Texas Senate.”

State Senator Pat Fallon endorsed Rep. Springer to succeed him. Senator Fallon said, “Drew Springer will make an excellent addition to the Texas Senate. He has been a champion for the people of House District 68, and he will continue to fight for conservative principles for the great citizens of Senate District 30.” Senator Fallon has been joined by 50 State Representatives, who have seen him work for years, in endorsing Drew Springer.

Drew was raised, educated, and works in Senate District 30. He is a Christian and a lifelong conservative who fights to preserve traditional Texas values, promote economic development, works to end excessive regulations that stifle business, and champions pro-life legislation. Drew was raised in Parker County, is in the Weatherford HS Hall of Fame, graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

He spent fifteen years working for a railcar company as an accountant, and eventually as president overseeing three divisions. He left to join his father’s financial services business in Parker County, where Drew has specialized in agricultural managed futures for over a decade. Drew and his wife of 29 years, Lydia, reside in Cooke County. They have three children, a daughter-in-law and one grandson.