AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez announced Monday he is dropping out of a runoff for the state Senate District 14 seat.
Former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt will now succeed former state Sen. Kirk Watson, who resigned at the end of April to become the first dean of the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs.
"This year, we have the first chance in a generation to forge a Democratic majority in a critical and historic session that will determine the future of Texas," Rodriguez wrote in an email to supporters. "For that reason, I have decided to forego the runoff for Senate and focus my efforts on winning a Democratic majority and promoting an aggressive, progressive agenda in the Texas House."
Rodriguez currently represents Texas House District 51, which covers much of south and southeast Austin and Travis County.
Eckhardt and Rodriguez finished first and second, respectively, in a July 14 special election for the seat that was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Eckhardt finished with 49.7 percent of the vote, necessitating a runoff election that had not yet been scheduled by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
"I congratulate Sarah Eckhardt on her performance in the election, and I wish her well," Rodriguez said. "As Dean of the Travis County delegation, I look forward to working with her to carve a progressive path forward for our shared community."