Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt resigns to run for State Senate

AUSTIN, Texas - Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt has resigned.

Judge Eckhardt's office says she's resigning to run for state Sen. Kirk Watson's seat in District 14. Watson stepped down last month to become dean of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston.

Eckhardt's resignation was approved by the Travis County Commissioner's Court during their March 10 meeting. Former Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe was appointed to serve until a new judge is elected in November.

In her remarks during the meeting, Eckhardt said serving Travis County has been a joy.

"Over the years we have built strong bipartisan relationships on this dais, in the surrounding counties, and across the state. Serving the County has been a joy. Serving in the State Senate will be a misery at first. But service builds relationships, relationships build common purpose, and common purpose builds progress," Eckhardt said. "It would be easier to stay put. But our progress at the local level can't continue and may even be reversed if we don't address the darkness at the state level. I am grateful to my colleagues and to all of the Central Texas residents who will help me get there."

Eckhardt has served as County Judge since 2015. She was re-elected to a second term in 2018. According to her official biography, Eckhardt worked for eight years as an Assistant Travis County Attorney. In 2006, she was elected to represent Precinct 2 on the Commissioners Court and re-elected in 2010.

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Eckhardt is the second candidate to announce plans to run for Watson's seat. State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez has also entered the race.