Texas' Abbott: Colmenero's 'record of experience in state government and expertise in litigation' ideal for interim AG stint

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Angela Colmenero to be the next interim Texas attorney general, a recent press release from the governor’s office said. He stated that Colmenero, his longtime aide, possesses the experience and skill necessary for the position.

Colmenero took over as Texas’ top law enforcement official on July 14, replacing John Scott, who himself was tabbed as interim attorney general after the Texas House of Representatives voted to proceed with the impeachment of then-AG Ken Paxton in late May.

“Today, under authorities granted by the Texas Constitution, I appoint Angela Colmenero to serve as interim Attorney General of Texas,” Abbott said in the July 10 release. “In addition to her time in the Office of the Governor, Angela served under me in the Texas Attorney General’s Office and has firsthand experience on how the agency operates. Angela's record of experience in state government and expertise in litigation will help her oversee the Texas Attorney General’s Office and serve as our state’s top law enforcement officer as the Texas Senate conducts impeachment proceedings."

Abbott also expressed gratitude to Scott, an ex-Texas secretary of state, for his service; the release said. Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported that it was unclear as to why Scott stepped down.

Colmenero will temporarily helm the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) after serving as Abbott’s deputy chief of staff since late 2021, the KVUE report said. Before that, she served as the principal deputy general counsel to the governor.

Colmenero is no stranger to the OAG, having worked there for nearly a decade as chief of the General Litigation Division and deputy chief of the Special Litigation Division. She holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Just before Memorial Day, the Texas House of Representatives elected to impeach Paxton on a 121-23 vote, the Austin Journal reported. A House panel recommended Paxton be brought up on charges of corruption and other irregularities arising from his office’s purported attempt to have lawmakers settle a $3.3 million lawsuit in a whistleblower case against him.

Paxton’s impeachment trial is slated to begin on Sept. 5, the Texas Tribune reported.