Soon-to-be interim Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe will take his oath of office May 13, according to a March 24 press release from Travis County. Biscoe said he plans to appoint current Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt as his emergency management assistant, allowing her to spearhead the county's response to COVID-19, and that her continued work as judge through May 13 would help "maintain continuity in [Travis County's] emergency response efforts]."
“We need all hands on deck to protect the health and safety of our public,” Eckhardt said. “I am honored and willing to continue my public service in any capacity and look forward to once again work with incoming Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe as we all do our parts to combat the spread of COVID-19.”
Original post: Mach 23, 8:10 p.m.
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said in a March 23 press call that she would remain in her role with the county for the time being, despite officially resigning on March 10 to prepare for a state Senate run. Previously, March 23 had been floated as the date Eckhardt's interim replacement, former Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe, would be sworn in.
"I could not have foreseen what I am now experiencing and what we are now experiencing as a county," Eckhardt said, referring to the county's response to the spread of novel coronavirus.
According to Eckhardt, Biscoe reached out to her and proposed holding off his swearing-in so Eckhardt could continue to serve "as a holdover during this crisis."
The election for the seat Eckhardt has announced her candidacy for—state Sen. Kirk Watson's vacated District 14 post—has been postponed to July 14, as announced by Gov. Greg Abbott on March 17.
Eckhardt did not give a new date for Biscoe's swearing-in, but the topic is expected to be explored further at the March 24 meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court, per a county communications officer.
