Gov. Abbott Appoints New Secretary of State
Howden, Abbott’s legislative affairs director, will oversee Texas elections until Senate confirmation as officials brace for November voting disputes.
- On Friday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed senior advisor Robert Howden as the 116th Texas Secretary of State, succeeding Jane Nelson who stepped down after three and a half years.
- Howden, who has served in four Republican administrations, previously led major business associations including NFIB-Texas and the Texas Association of Manufacturers.
- The appointment comes less than four months before the 2026 midterm elections, placing Howden in charge of election administration amid the Texas GOP's lawsuit to close the state's open primary system.
- Political science professor Cal Jillson noted Howden bears close watching regarding voter roll oversight, saying, "One of the more controversial things that former Texas Secretaries of State have done is to engage in purging of the voter rolls."
- Legislative confirmation by the Texas Senate awaits Howden when lawmakers return to Austin in 2027; he assumes the role Saturday without immediate approval, though three of his predecessors resigned before winning such a vote.
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Robert Howden, Abbott aide, to succeed Jane Nelson as Texas’ top election official
This story was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization reporting on voting access and election administration across the U.S. Sign up for Votebeat Texas’ free newsletter here.Robert Howden, a senior adviser to Gov. Greg Abbott, will be Texas’ interim secre…
It reviews the latest news from Texas and Abbott's new appointment: I knew who Robert Howden is and his importance as Secretary of State.
Gov. Abbott appoints new secretary of state
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Friday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced he appointed Robert S. Howden as the 166th Secretary of State of Texas. His appointment is effective Saturday, according to a news release. On June 2, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced her plans to leave the agency. She said Friday would be her last day. Howden will succeed her. The secretary of state has many duties, including helping county election officials an…
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