[H. Paul Pressler IV]

The Governor has the authority to appoint a Senator when a seat becomes vacant however, he cannot appoint a member to the House of Representatives.

[Political Junkie Too]

And isn't that the darndest holdover from the passing of the 17th amendment? It made sense for a governor to appoint a Senator when the legislature regularly appointed Senators, but now that the people popularly vote for Senator it is anachronistic that the Governor still gets to appoint one in a vacancy.

-PJ

[mysto]

The Governor has the authority to appoint a Senator when a seat becomes vacant however, he cannot appoint a member to the House of Representatives.

You're right... I stand corrected. Texas Election Code § 204.021 states, "An unexpired term in the office of United States representative may be filled only by a special election in the same manner as provided by Chapter 203 for the legislature..."