Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced today that he was appointing Robert Howden to serve as the next Texas Secretary of State. Howden succeeds Jane Nelson, who is stepping down after serving three and a half years in the role.
In addition to serving as the State’s Chief Elections Officer, the Secretary of State handles business filings and serves as Chief International Protocol Officer for Texas, among other duties.
Howden has been a longtime presence in and around the Texas Capitol, most recently serving as Senior Advisor and Director of Legislative Affairs in Governor Abbott’s office. Previously, Howden worked as a lobbyist and served in the administrations of former Governors Rick Perry and Bill Clements.
“Robert Howden has served Texas with distinction in four Republican governors’ administrations,” said Governor Abbott. “I have full confidence he will excel as Secretary of State. His experience in the legislative process and extensive public service have prepared him to protect the integrity of Texas elections and represent our state with strength on the global stage. Texas will benefit from his distinguished leadership.”
As she concludes her time as Secretary of State, Nelson reflected on her accomplishments in the office – including working to expedite business filings, modernizing the office, and promoting Texas as the State’s Chief Protocol Officer.
“None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the extraordinary public servants who come to work every day committed to serving Texans,” Nelson said. “I am grateful to Governor Abbott for entrusting me with this responsibility, to the Texas Legislature for supporting our efforts to modernize the agency, and to our county election officials, business leaders, consular corps, and countless partners across our state. It has been a privilege to continue to serve the people of Texas.”
Nelson also emphasized her work on election security.
“Election integrity is a cornerstone of my work as Secretary of State,” said Nelson, who highlighted her office’s work to review election security protocols in all 254 counties, flag voter registrations that are likely at commercial mailboxes, and offer additional ways for deployed servicemembers to receive ballots.
Howden, who will take office on July 17, takes over an office that is currently embroiled in litigation against the Republican Party of Texas over the Party’s desire to close the Republican Primary election.
At the Republican Party of Texas State Convention last month, Abbott expressed his support for a closed Primary.
“We are going to make clear that, in the future, only Republicans vote in Republican primaries,” remarked Abbott.
Earlier this month, Abbott hired former State Representative Nate Schatzline, a supporter of closed primaries, to serve as a Senior Advisor on election policy.
