Amarillo restaurant owner Victor Leal announced his candidacy for the Texas House of Representatives, District 87 today. HD 87 is the open seat vacated by Rep. David Swinford's (R-Dumas) retirement.

“Our family has successfully operated restaurants in the Panhandle for over 50 years,” Leal said. “We listen to our guests, work hard on service and deliver on results. I will apply thissame responsive work ethic to protect our family values, improve local quality of life andlower taxes. I also want to continue the outstanding representation of our current State Representative David Swinford who has been a tremendous, conservative advocate for us for so many years,” Leal said.

The San Antonio Express-News is reporting that Lyle Larson, former Bexar County Commissioner and former San Antonio City Council member, is running for state representative. The incumbent, Rep. Frank Corte Jr. (R-San Antonio), announced his retirement yesterday. As Larson has already represented much of the district, his candidacy would be formidible, though others have also expressed interest in filing for the seat. Real estate agent Denise Barnhill has also filed for the seat.

Surrounded by family, Rep. Frank Corte Jr. (R-San Antonio) announced he will not seek re-election to the Texas House of Representatives in 2010. Corte said he is not currently endorsing any candidate for the seat. Corte's office issued a full news release which we post here.

Corte is known as one of the most consistently conservative members of the Texas Legislature. He was president of the Texas Conservative Coalition 1996-1998 and chairman of the House Republican Caucus 2007-2009. He authored several pieces of conservative legsialture, most notably the Woman's Right to Know Act, which provided for informed consent for women seeking abortions. He also authored many bills strengthening private property rights after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2005 Kelo v. New London decision.

Rep. David Swinford (R-Dumas) issued a press release last night announcing that he is not seeking re-election. Swinford has served in the Legislature since 1991. He was asked to lead committees by two different speakers. He was chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock under House speaker Pete Laney and was chairman of the Committees on Government Organization and later State Affairs under Speaker Tom Craddick. Like the rest of the Panhandle delegation, Swinford had a reputation as one of the hardest working members of the House and is respected by Republicans and Democrats alike.

As chairman of Agriculture and Livestock, Swinford authored House Bill 2, the first comprehensive statement of Texas agriculture policy. Later in his career, Swinford became known for his advocacy for wind power and power investment in West Texas. Due both to Texas's electric restructuring act and federal environmental policy, West Texas has become a much more significant player in providing for the state's energy needs, and wind power has become a much more significant part of the region's economy.

Swinford wrote a column for today's Amarillo Globe News discussing his career and decision in more detail. He also issued a statement to the press, which we reprint in full below:

Atty. Gen. Gregg Abbott filed for a third term in office today, citing his record in a press release.

“At a time of national difficulty and unprecedented expansion of the federal government, Texas stands out as a state where free enterprise, traditional values, and individual freedom still thrive,” Abbott said. “As Attorney General I have worked to serve and protect our fellow Texans by cracking down on waste and fraud in government, launching new initiatives to protect children, and going all the way to the United States Supreme Court to defend Texas values. With our great state at this critical juncture, I am seeking reelection to ensure that Texans have an Attorney General who will offer innovative solutions to real-world problems, stand up when the federal government overreaches, and ensure Texas continues to foster economic opportunity for future generations.”

One of the more conservative members of the Texas Legislature gladly accepted his inclusion as a Bum Steer -- rather than giving Texas Monthly a bronx cheer.

Rep. Wayne Christian (R-Center) said the designation, intended as a harsh critique of (usually) conservative legislators, is an honor if one considers private property rights, immigration reform, and social conservative values important.

His press release on the matter is as follows:

Speaker Joe Straus appointed five House members to the Texas Legislative Council today, a press release from his office said. The appointments include: Reps. Gary Elkins (R-Houston), Jessica Farrar (D-Houston), Helen Giddings (D-Dallas), Edmund Kuempel (R-Seguin), and Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston).

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Former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle filed Dec. 18 for Lieutenant Governor, the number two statewide elected office.

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Santa Claus, who said he may want to move his North Pole opeartions to Texas to take advantage of the better business climate, assisted Americans for Prosperity-Texas in releasing the group's "Naughty and Nice" lists for 2009.

Peggy Venable, executive director of AFP-Texas, introduced during a press conference this morning AFP-Texas' Legislative Report Card for the 81st Legislative Session as "Santa" read a list of the highest grades.

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