Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed longtime government adviser Robert Howden as Texas secretary of state, placing him in charge of the state’s elections office months before the November General Election.
Howden succeeds Jane Nelson, whose resignation took effect Friday after serving in the position since 2023.
“Robert Howden has served Texas with distinction in four Republican governors’ administrations,” said Abbott. “I have full confidence he will excel as Secretary of State.”
Abbott said Howden’s legislative experience and extensive public service had prepared him to protect the integrity of Texas elections and represent the state internationally.
Howden currently serves as a senior adviser and director of legislative affairs in Abbott’s office. He previously worked as a lobbyist and served as communications director and senior adviser to former Gov. Rick Perry.
His career also includes leading the National Federation of Independent Business Texas and serving on the staffs of former Gov. Bill Clements and the Texas Department of Commerce.
The secretary of state serves as Texas’ chief election officer, assisting county election officials and overseeing the uniform application and interpretation of state election laws.
Howden will take over the office as the Republican Party of Texas pursues a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s open-primary system.
The party sued the secretary of state in September 2025, arguing that a system allowing voters to participate in either party’s primary without formally registering with that party violates the Texas GOP’s First Amendment right to determine with whom it associates. Attorney General Ken Paxton later joined the party in urging the court to strike down the challenged provision of the Texas Election Code.
Abbott recently endorsed efforts to close Republican primaries through the Legislature, declaring at the Republican Party of Texas convention that “only Republicans” should vote in Republican elections.
Earlier this month, Abbott named former State Rep. Nate Schatzline as a senior adviser on election integrity, reportedly with a focus on closed primary legislation.
Kristin Miles, president of the Texas Association of County Election Officials and the Bastrop County elections administrator, congratulated Howden and emphasized the importance of cooperation between the state and local election officials.
“Election officials in all 254 Texas counties know firsthand what it takes to get this process right,” she said. “It will be critical for Secretary Howden to help maintain that trust through the upcoming November General Election in Texas, and we stand ready to be a resource and a partner to the new Secretary from day one.”
Beyond administering elections, the secretary of state maintains official business and commercial records, publishes government rules and regulations, commissions notaries public, and serves as the keeper of the state seal.
The secretary also serves as the governor’s senior adviser and liaison on the Texas border and Mexican affairs and as the state’s chief international protocol officer.
Howden will serve as secretary of state pending confirmation by the Texas Senate next session, which must approve gubernatorial appointments to the position.
