Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced Tuesday that she will step down from the position on July 17, ending a three-and-a-half-year tenure leading the state’s elections and business filings agency.
“It has been an honor to serve the people of Texas in this role,” Nelson said in a statement. “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 Nelson’s service, calling her “a true champion for the people of Texas and an extraordinary Secretary of State.”
“I am deeply grateful for her long and loyal service and outstanding leadership,” Abbott said. “She has represented our state with grace and honor across the globe, and Texas is better because of it.”
As secretary of state, Nelson served as Texas’ chief elections officer, overseeing seven statewide elections during her tenure. According to the agency, more than 27 million ballots were cast in those elections.
“It has been my goal to ensure that voting in Texas is secure, accessible and fair,” Nelson said. “We have worked extensively to ensure accurate voter rolls and to educate voters about what they need to know to vote with confidence.”
Her tenure at the secretary of state’s office was not without controversy, however.
One of the most notable controversies of Nelson’s tenure emerged last year when the Republican Party of Texas sued the secretary of state’s office after Nelson declined to implement the party’s proposed closed-primary system, designed to prevent Democrat meddling in Republican primary elections.
The dispute created a rare split within state government, with Attorney General Ken Paxton siding with the Texas GOP while Nelson fought the lawsuit and argued it should be dismissed.
The litigation remains ongoing.
Nelson was appointed secretary of state by Abbott in January 2023 following a three-decade career in the Texas Senate. The Senate unanimously confirmed her appointment in March 2023, making her the first secretary of state to receive Senate confirmation since 2017.
Under Texas law, the secretary of state is appointed by the governor and must be confirmed by the Texas Senate. Because the Senate is not currently in session, a replacement could serve as acting secretary of state until lawmakers reconvene and consider the appointment.
Abbott has not yet announced who he will nominate to succeed Nelson, but multiple sources have suggested it could be outgoing State Rep. Nate Schatzline.
