Vela’s resignation was effective at 11:59 pm on Thursday. Now, Texas governor Greg Abbott will call for a special election in the fourteenth congressional district of Texas. The governor will set a date for the special election. Whoever wins his seat will only fill it for the remainder of his term. The former congressman now intends to take a job at Akin Gump. It is a prominent lobbying and law firm. 

This special election could be a hint at what the 2022 midterm elections could look like for republicans and democrats. Former Rep. Vela won this district by about 14 points, so this district does tend to vote Democrat. Even with Republicans only gaining a few points could show that republicans have a good chance at taking the United States House of Representatives. 

By: Lyle Kenitzer