[SolidSupplySide]

Under the Texas Constitution, the Governor has the power to declare those RAT seats vacant and appoint replacements.

Where did you find that in the Constitution?

[snopercod]

Damn. It's so good to see someone question me on this stuff.

The applicable section of the TX Constitution is Article 3, Section 13

I am not necessarily wrong. Read the law of the land.

(a) When vacancies occur in either House, the Governor, or the person exercising the power of the Governor, shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies; and should the Governor fail to issue a writ of election to fill any such vacancy within twenty days after it occurs, the returning officer of the district in which such vacancy may have happened, shall be authorized to order an election for that purpose.

(b) The legislature may provide by general law for the filling of a vacancy in the legislature without an election if only one person qualifies and declares a candidacy in an election to fill the vacancy. (Amended Nov. 6, 2001.)

So at least, the Governor should have issued writs of election.

I hate to say it, but Texans are almost as ignorant as Californians of their state constitution.