Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Robert S. Howden as the 116th Secretary of State of Texas, effective July 18, 2026. Howden will succeed Jane Nelson, who stepped down after three and a half years in the role.
Nelson announced her resignation in early June and left office by late July, just months before the November midterm election. Under her leadership, she oversaw seven statewide elections and efforts to maintain accurate voter rolls, allowing U.S. Department of Justice access to the state’s voter rolls and enrolling Texas in the federal database known as SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements). Her departure from the office comes as they continued work on list maintenance, election security measures, and preparation for the upcoming general election.
The Secretary of State serves as Texas’s chief election officer, overseeing the administration and implementation of state election law. The office publishes government rules and regulations, commissions notaries public, and serves as the state’s chief international protocol officer and is the senior advisor to the governor on border and Mexican affairs.
Howden previously served as a senior advisor and director of legislative affairs in the Office of the Governor. Howden has an extensive record in public service under multiple Texas governors, including roles as communications director and senior adviser under Gov. Rick Perry, leadership of the National Federation of Independent Business Texas, and earlier on the staff of Gov. Bill Clements and the Texas Department of Commerce.
In announcing the appointment, Abbott said Howden’s experience in the legislative process and public service has prepared him to secure Texas elections and represent the state effectively. Howden can serve in the position until the Texas Senate considers confirmation during the next legislative session in January.