Nelson on Texas Secretary of State nomination: 'I look forward to this new chapter of public service'

Gov. Greg Abbott nominated a retiring longtime member of the Texas Senate to become the next Texas Secretary of State after incumbent John B. Scott’s resignation announcement, according to reports from Austin-based media outlets. 

A Texas Tribune article that was ran by Austin CBS affiliate KEYE reported Abbott hopes state Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) will earn the approval of the Texas Legislature’s upper chamber as the state’s elections head once she enters retirement.

Scott said on Monday that he’ll be out as Secretary of State effective at the end of this year, Austin Journal reported. 

Stating he’ll return to his private legal practice after he leaves the office, Scott expressed pride in “the tremendous progress” the Lone Star State made when it came to conducting its elections, the publication reported. 

He oversaw four statewide elections, including last month’s general election that saw the reelection of Abbott to a third term, during his lone year at the helm of the Texas Secretary of State's Office (SOS).

Per a press release issued by the Office of the Texas Governor, Abbott, a Republican, praised Scott for the work he put in since late 2021. 

“I thank Secretary Scott for his tireless work educating Texas voters how they can participate in the electoral process and safeguarding the integrity of our state’s elections,” the governor said in the release. 

On his nomination of Nelson, Abbott said her lifelong commitment to public service and vast knowledge of state government will aid her significantly in her new post.

Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported that Nelson, a businesswoman and former teacher, welcomed the opportunity. 

"I look forward to this new chapter of public service and appreciate the confidence Gov. Abbott has placed in me to serve as Secretary of State," the soon-to-be former lawmaker said in a statement published by the station. "Voters expect fair elections with accurate, timely results, and I am committed to making that happen. Texans with all political views should have faith in our election system." 

Per her biography on the state Senate’s website, Nelson is a graduate of the University of North Texas (UNT).