The Texas Tribune reports that State Sen. Mario Gallegos
Jr. died Tuesday after a long illness, just days before voters begin
filling in ballots that include the Houston Democrat’s name. So starts a
cringe-inducing change of power that occurs not when an officeholder
loses a re-election bid, but when one dies shortly before Election Day
and only days before the start of early voting.

It’s too late to
replace Gallegos on the ballot. If the late senator wins next month, his
party has a chance to hold his seat in the state Senate. Should voters
instead turn to the live Republican on the ballot — Rasuali Bray —
Gallegos’ death could figure into partisan control of the Texas
Legislature.

Partisan voting at its finest.  Of course this seat will not play an important role in the majority control of the Texas Senate.  The Texas GOP will control the Texas Senate and Legislature no matter what happens with this seat.   However, as the article points out, taking this seat and the Wendy Davis seat would give Texas Republicans 2/3rds control of the chamber and allow the GOP to bring up bills for votes without Democrats being able to prevent a vote on partisan bills.

The Texas Tribune reports that State Sen. Mario Gallegos
Jr. died Tuesday after a long illness, just days before voters begin
filling in ballots that include the Houston Democrat’s name. So starts a
cringe-inducing change of power that occurs not when an officeholder
loses a re-election bid, but when one dies shortly before Election Day
and only days before the start of early voting.

It’s too late to
replace Gallegos on the ballot. If the late senator wins next month, his
party has a chance to hold his seat in the state Senate. Should voters
instead turn to the live Republican on the ballot — Rasuali Bray —
Gallegos’ death could figure into partisan control of the Texas
Legislature.

Partisan voting at its finest.  Of course this seat will not play an important role in the majority control of the Texas Senate.  The Texas GOP will control the Texas Senate and Legislature no matter what happens with this seat.   However, as the article points out, taking this seat and the Wendy Davis seat would give Texas Republicans 2/3rds control of the chamber and allow the GOP to bring up bills for votes without Democrats being able to prevent a vote on partisan bills.