Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced Tuesday that she will step down from the position effective July 17, ending a three-and-a-half-year tenure as the state’s chief elections officer.
Nelson, appointed by President Donald Trump’s ally, Gov. Greg Abbott, in January 2023, oversaw seven statewide elections with more than 27 million ballots cast. She also managed business filings that reached record levels with over 3 million active entities, per a June 2 press release.
“It has been an honor to serve the people of Texas in this role,” Nelson said in the release. “My time as Secretary came at an important moment for Texas, and I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish as an agency in under four years.”
Gov. Greg Abbott praised her service, stating, “I am deeply grateful for her long and loyal service and outstanding leadership. She has represented our state with grace and honor across the globe, and Texas is better because of it.”
Nelson, 74, previously served 30 years in the Texas Senate, representing District 12 from 1993 to 2023. She was the first woman to chair the Senate Finance Committee and authored four balanced state budgets. Her legislative accomplishments included establishing the Cancer Research & Prevention Institute of Texas, tax relief measures, foster care reform, and expanded mental health services.
As Secretary of State, Nelson’s office handled elections administration, voter roll maintenance, business entity filings, and served as Texas’ chief diplomat. She emphasized election security, voter education, and the modernization of agency operations.
Her tenure was marked by controversy, including a lawsuit filed by the Republican Party of Texas after Nelson declined to implement the party’s proposed closed-primary system. The litigation, which remains ongoing, highlighted divisions within the state GOP on primary election rules, per The Texas Scorecard.
Nelson was the first secretary of state to receive Texas Senate confirmation since 2017. Because the Senate is not in session, Abbott may appoint an acting secretary who would serve until confirmation at the next legislative session.
Outgoing State Rep. Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth) has been mentioned as a possible replacement, though he has not commented publicly on the position as of the time of publication.
