{"id":2610358,"date":"2026-06-03T19:36:56","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T23:36:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-elections-chief-steps-down-ahead-of-midterm-elections\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T19:39:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T23:39:20","slug":"texas-elections-chief-steps-down-ahead-of-midterm-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-elections-chief-steps-down-ahead-of-midterm-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas elections chief steps down ahead of midterm elections"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftexas-elections-chief-steps-down-ahead-of-midterm-elections%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2610358&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced she will step down, leaving teh role responsible for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kansas-legislature-rallies-around-election-integrity-reforms-overrides-democratic-governors-veto\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Kansas Legislature Rallies Around Election Integrity Reforms, Overrides Democratic Governor\u2019s Veto\">administering elections<\/a> and business filings vacant ahead of midterm elections.Her resignation follows <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >major primary runoff upsets<\/a> on May 26, including Attorney General Ken Paxton defeating Sen. John Cornyn and progressive Rep. Al Green losing to Rep. Christian menefee after district lines were redrawn.Nelson gave no specific reason for her departure, stating only that she was proud to serve during an critically important moment for Texas; she will leave effective July 17.<\/p>\n<p>Nelson\u2019s position is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate,which unanimously approved her in 2023. During her tenure, Texas shared voter-roll data with the Department of Justice and began using the federal SAVE system to remove noncitizens from voter eligibility records-actions that have led to pending federal litigation. Before becoming secretary of state, Nelson spent 30 years in the Texas Senate representing the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced Tuesday that she would step down, leaving the position charged with managing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"253\">Texas\u2019s<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">midterm elections<\/a> vacant.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nelson\u2019s resignation comes after a slew of high-profile upsets in the May 26 Texas primary runoff elections. Trump-endorsed state Attorney General Ken Paxton <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4582071\/texas-senate-runoff-result-cornyn-paxton\/\">bested<\/a> incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), and progressive stalwart Rep. Al Green (D-TX) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4584616\/al-green-fighter-democrats-lost-texas-primary-anyway\/\">lost<\/a> to the younger Rep. Christian Menefee (D-TX) after their Houston districts were drawn together.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4593967\/california-vulnerable-republican-redistricting-victims-primaries\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>How California\u2019s vulnerable Republican redistricting victims have fared in their primaries<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4576195\/house-clears-resolution-to-rein-in-trumps-war-powers\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump suffers defeat as four House Republicans back removing U.S. from hostilities with Iran<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4593871\/sunny-hostin-says-would-hold-nose-pull-lever-vote-platner\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Sunny Hostin says she would \u2018hold her nose, pull that lever, and vote Platner\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nelson did not give a reason for her departure, which is set for July 17. Nelson only <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/content.govdelivery.com\/accounts\/TXSOS\/bulletins\/41a213f\">commented<\/a> that she was \u201cproud\u201d to have served as secretary of state at \u201can important moment for Texas.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike voters in most states, Texans do not directly elect their secretary of state. Instead, the position is appointed by the governor, subject to approval by the state senate. The 31-member body unanimously <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2023\/03\/15\/jane-nelson-secretary-state-texas-confirmed\/\">confirmed<\/a> Nelson in 2023. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI will work to safeguard honest and accurate elections in all 254 counties across our great state, while continuing to support business owners by ensuring that government moves at the speed of Texas business, not the other way around,\u201d she <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.state.tx.us\/about\/newsreleases\/2023\/031523.shtml\">said<\/a> at the time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Texas\u2019s secretary of state is responsible for administering voter registration files and managing articles of incorporation for local businesses, among other <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.state.tx.us\/about\/duties.shtml\">responsibilities<\/a>. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) also <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.texas.gov\/border\/reports\/2025-bbc-report.shtml\">designated<\/a> Nelson as border commerce coordinator, giving her a broad mandate over the state\u2019s $281.2 billion <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/gov.texas.gov\/uploads\/files\/business\/Mexico-Profile.pdf\">trade<\/a> with Mexico.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under Nelson\u2019s leadership, Texas was one of at least 15 states to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.votebeat.org\/texas\/2026\/01\/09\/texas-secretary-of-state-shares-voter-rolls-with-justice-department-dnc-ken-martin\/\">turn over<\/a> its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-nevada-a-corrupt-cash-for-votes-scheme-is-hiding-in-plain-sight\/\" title=\"In Nevada, A Corrupt Cash-For-Votes Scheme Is Hiding In Plain Sight\">voter rolls<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/whitmer-defends-trip-to-florida-despite-travel-warning-i-wasnt-partying-in-miami\/\" title=\"Whitmer Defends Trip To Florida Despite Travel Warning: \u2018I Wasn\u2019t Partying In Miami!\u2019\">including dates<\/a> of birth and partial Social Security numbers, in compliance with a Department of Justice request. Nelson also began using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, database to remove noncitizens from its list of eligible voters. That move led to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/03\/27\/texas-save-database-voter-rolls-removal-dps-secretary-of-state\/\">pending litigation<\/a> in federal court. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4593025\/dlcc-expand-target-list-texas-talarico-hope\/\"><strong>DLCC EXPANDS TARGET LIST IN TEXAS AS TALARICO\u2019S RISE SPARKS HOPE FOR DEMOCRATS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prior to her tenure as secretary of state, Nelson served for 30 years in the Texas Senate, where she represented the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. Nelson is the longest-serving Republican woman in Texas state Senate history.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to Nelson\u2019s office for more information on her departure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Texas\u2019 Sec. of State Jane Nelson resigns, leaving midterm role vacant<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4301,"featured_media":2610359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP22234729116046.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[75984,6571,34250,37104],"class_list":["post-2610358","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-election-administration","tag-elections","tag-midterm-elections","tag-texas-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP22234729116046.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610358","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4301"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2610358"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610358\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2610362,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2610358\/revisions\/2610362"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2610359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2610358"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2610358"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2610358"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}