The official bond to hire former Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe was approved in a unanimous vote of the Travis County Commissioners Court on March 12, following the March 10 announcement that Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt would step down to pursue a seat in the Texas Senate.

Biscoe—who served as Travis County judge from 1998-2014—will serve as Eckhardt’s temporary replacement until November, when an official successor is expected to be elected. The bond outlines Biscoe’s position with a term that runs through Nov. 30.

Eckhardt’s work on the court has not yet officially ended despite the acceptance of her official resignation and the approval of the bond. Per state law, Eckhardt will remain in her position until Biscoe is officially sworn in, an event Eckhardt said was tentatively scheduled to occur March 23.

The current judge’s exit allows her to vie for retiring state Sen. Kirk Watson’s seat in a projected May 2 election, as Texas state law requires candidates not to hold another lucrative public office while running. She will compete with state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez for the position and possibly Austin City Council Member Greg Casar, who has filed initial paperwork for his candidacy.