The U.K. saw its hottest start to May on record.

The Texas Capitol on Feb. 1, 2021. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas TribuneVoters in northern Texas are going to the polls Tuesday to fill the last vacant seat in the Texas Legislature. Republicans David Spiller and Craig Carter are facing off in a special election runoff to fill the state House seat vacated by Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, who recently was elected to the state Senate. Spiller is a Jacksboro lawyer and school board trustee; Carter is a Nocona businessman and former candidate for overlapping Texas Senate District 30. 1 finisher in the special election last month for the rural northwest Texas district, getting 44% of the vote to Carter’s 18%. The runoff was additionally upended by the deadly winter storm last week that left millions of Texans without power.

Greg Abbott has picked TKTK for the House District 68 runoff election. Greg Abbott has picked Feb. 23 as the date of the special election runoff to replace former state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, who is now in the Texas Senate. Early voting for the House District 68 runoff will begin Feb. 16. Spiller finished first in the five-way special election last month, getting 44% of the vote. For Carter, the period since the special election has been marked by tragedy.

The south end of the Texas State Capitol. Credit: Spencer Selvidge for The Texas TribuneFour Republicans and one Democrat have filed for the special election to replace state Sen.-elect Drew Springer, R-Muenster, in the Texas House. They are competing for Springer's seat after he won a special election runoff last month to succeed Pat Fallon in the Texas Senate after the Prosper Republican's promotion to Congress. The special election for Springer's seat is happening on an accelerated schedule with the start of the legislative session — Jan. 12 — looming. Abbott announced the special election a week ago, and early voting begins Jan. 11.

State Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, is shown on the Senate floor in 2019. Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas TribuneSix candidates have filed in the rapid-fire special election to fill the seat of state Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, according to the secretary of state's office. On Saturday, Fallon submitted his resignation from his state Senate seat, saying it will be effective Jan. 4. Minutes after Abbott announced the special election, Springer jumped into the race with Fallon's backing. Early voting for the special election begins Sept. 14.