Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced on Tuesday she will step down in July after more than three years in the role.
Nelson said she will officially leave the role on Friday, July 17.
“It’s 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 tenure, calling her “a true champion for the people of Texas and an extraordinary secretary of state.”
“She has represented our state with grace and honor across the globe, and Texas is better because of it,” Abbott said. “Cecilia and I wish her all the best in the next chapter of her distinguished career.”
Abbott appointed Nelson on Jan. 5, 2023, following the resignation of former Secretary of State John Scott. The Texas Senate unanimously confirmed her March 15, 2023, making her the first secretary of state confirmed by the chamber since 2017.
During her tenure, Nelson oversaw more than seven statewide elections involving about 27 million ballots cast. State officials said she also directed millions of dollars in grants to counties to support election integrity efforts and secured funding for a military ballot initiative set to launch in the November general election.
“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.”
Officials said Texas also surpassed 3 million active business filings during Nelson’s tenure. The agency launched Texas Express, a filing system offering same-day and next-day processing.
Before her appointment, Nelson served 30 years in the Texas Senate, where she was the longest-serving Republican in state history and the first woman to chair the Senate Finance Committee.
State officials credited Nelson with helping secure funding to renovate the James Earl Rudder Building, modernize the Texas Register, replace outdated business filing systems, digitize millions of records and overhaul the agency’s website, which had not been updated in more than 20 years.