Gov. Greg Abbott named Robert S. Howden, one of his senior advisers and his office's legislative director, as Texas' 116th secretary of state effective July 18.
The overview
As the state's chief elections officer, Howden will be responsible for overseeing the application of Texas election laws and assisting local election officials. The secretary of state's office manages business and commercial records, publishes government rules and regulations, commissions notaries public, and other official duties. The secretary also advises the governor on issues related to Mexico and the Mexican border, and serves as the state's chief protocol officer.
Howden will succeed Secretary of State Jane Nelson, who resigned effective July 17 more than three years after she took office.
“Robert Howden has served Texas with distinction in four Republican governors’ administrations,” Abbott said July 17 in a statement. “I have full confidence he will excel as Secretary of State. His experience in the legislative process and extensive public service have prepared him to protect the integrity of Texas elections and represent our state with strength on the global stage. Texas will benefit from his distinguished leadership.”
Following Abbott's appointment, Howden must be confirmed for the position by at least two-thirds of the Texas Senate. The state Legislature's next regular session will begin in January.
The backstory
Before starting his service in Abbott's office in 2024, Howden was a legislative and public affairs consultant. Under former Gov. Rick Perry, he worked as an advisor and communications director and oversaw his economic development task force. He also led the National Federation of Independent Business Texas, according to Abbott's office, and worked as a member of former Gov. Bill Clements' staff and in the Texas Department of Commerce.
Howden is a member of The University of Texas Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee, and received a bachelor's degree in science from UT Austin. He previously chaired the Texas Exes Legislative Committee and is a former member of its board of directors. He also sits on the Austin Club Board, and served on advisory boards for the Helping Hand Home for Children and Austin Junior League.
What else?
Before departing her position, Nelson detailed several elections integrity measures implemented by the secretary of state's office in her tenure including:
- Starting a review of Texas counties' security protocols, under an $8 million legislative appropriation
- Reviewing Texas' voter registration database and identifying the use of thousands of commercial mailboxes used instead of residences, referring those to counties for investigation
- Securing ballot options for military members serving overseas, under a more than $1 million legislative appropriation
"Election integrity is a cornerstone of my work as Secretary of State. These updates are a reflection of just some of the work our office has done to further security in the last three years, and they will continue to help protect Texas elections for years to come," Nelson said in a July statement before stepping down.
