Gov. Greg Abbott set a date for an emergency special election to replace U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela Jr., D- Brownsville, on Tuesday.
Abbott issued a proclamation announcing June 14 as the emergency special election date to fill the 34th Congressional District seat that Vela officially vacated last week.
He stepped down Thursday after sending resignation letters to Abbott and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
“It has been a profound honor to represent the people of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas for the last nine years,” he wrote in letters to the governor and Pelosi. “Please let me know how I can be of assistance during this transition.”
Vela, who had held that seat since 2013, announced he would not run for reelection last year, but stepped away earlier than expected after he accepted a job with the law and lobbying firm Akin Gump, headquartered in Washington D.C.
Candidates who wish to have their names placed on the emergency special election ballot must file their applications with the Texas Secretary of State no later than 5 p.m. April 13.
Early voting will begin May 31.
