Gov. Greg Abbott has tapped Judge Ann-Marie Carruth for the 72nd District Court, a bench made vacant in mid-December when the former judge died of COVID-19.

Carruth’s appointment is immediate, and she will serve out the rest of former Judge Ruben Reyes’ term until Dec. 31, 2022. She then will have to run for reelection to keep the seat, which serves Lubbock and Crosby counties in North Texas.