Jane Nelson
Jane Nelson | |
|---|---|
 Nelson in 2024 | |
| 115th Secretary of State of Texas | |
| In office January 5, 2023 – July 17, 2026 | |
| Governor | Greg Abbott |
| Preceded by | John Scott |
| Succeeded by | Robert Howden (acting) |
| President pro tempore of the Texas Senate | |
| In office June 2, 2003 – April 20, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Eddie Lucio Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Wentworth |
| Member of the Texas Senate | |
| In office January 1, 1993 – January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Glasgow |
| Succeeded by | Tan Parker |
| Constituency | 22nd district (1993–1995) 9th district (1995–2003) 12th district (2003–2023) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jane Gray October 5, 1951 Hamilton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Michael Nelson |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | University of North Texas (BS) |
Jane Gray Nelson[1] (born October 5, 1951)[2] is an American businesswoman and former school teacher[3] who served as the Secretary of State of Texas from 2023 to 2026. She previously served as a Texas state senator who represented Texas Senate District 12. She was elected to the Senate in 1992 after serving two two-year terms (1988–1992) on the Texas State Board of Education. In 2023, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Nelson to succeed John B. Scott as Secretary of State.[4] She was sworn in to that office on Saturday, January 7.
Texas Senate
[edit]In October 2019, the Texas Parent Teacher Association named Nelson a Texas PTA Champion for Children for her leadership during the 86th legislative session.[5]
In July 2021, Nelson announced she would not seek an 11th term to the Texas Senate.[6]
Senate Finance Committee
[edit]In 2014 Nelson was appointed chair of the Senate Finance Committee, the first woman of either party to hold that position. In that capacity she authored four state budgets. Her chairmanship ended in January 2022.[7] In June 2022, the Senate Finance committee dedicated its conference room to Nelson.[8]
Secretary of State
[edit]When Nelson was confirmed to the role of Secretary of State by the Senate, she became the first nominee to be confirmed since 2017.[9] In the Texas Legislature the Secretary of State presides over the House of Representatives until a Speaker is elected.[10] With her presiding over the opening of the 88th Legislature, she became the first person to preside over an opening of both chambers of the State Legislature.[11]
During her tenure, Nelson oversaw Texas' withdrawal from Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) over election integrity concerns.[12] Texas signed memorandums of understanding with several other states to share voter registration data as a replacement to the system.[13]
Nelson resigned as secretary in July 2026.[14]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Capitol Connection: Jane Nelson". UTA Magazine. XXIII (2). Winter 2001. Archived from the original on September 8, 2006. Retrieved January 3, 2007.
- ↑ Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) (September 13, 2002). "State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election". Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
- ↑ "Jane Gray Nelson's Biography".
- ↑ Fine, Julie (December 6, 2022). "Gov. Abbott to Appoint Longtime North Texas State Senator to Secretary of State". NBCDFW. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ↑ "Nelson named Texas PTA Champion for Children". Cross Timbers Gazette. October 17, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Veteran Denton County GOP lawmaker Jane Nelson will not seek 11th term in Texas Senate". July 5, 2021.
- ↑ Staff report. "Nelson appointed chairwoman of finance committee". Star Local. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- ↑ "The Texas State Senate – Press Items: Senator Jane Nelson". senate.texas.gov. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- ↑ Eubank, Britny; Searles, Sam (March 15, 2023). "Texas Senate approves former State Sen. Jane Nelson as next Texas Secretary of State". KVUE. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ↑ "The First Days of a Texas Legislative Session: What to Expect". Texas Policy Research. January 1, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Secretary Nelson Convenes 88th Texas Legislature". Texas Secretary of State. January 10, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
- ↑ Contreras, Natalia (July 20, 2023). "Texas begins withdrawal from multistate partnership to clean voter rolls". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ↑ Schneider, Andrew (September 19, 2025). "Texas signs agreements with nine other GOP-led states to share voter registration data". Houston Public Media. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ↑ Contreras, Natalie (June 2, 2026). "Secretary of State Jane Nelson, Texas' top election official, steps down". Votebeat Texas. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Campaign website
- State legislative page
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Jane Gray Nelson (TX) profile
- Politifact Check Senator Jane Gray Nelson (TX)
- Follow the Money - Jane Nelson
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- 1951 births
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- 20th-century American businesswomen
- 20th-century American women politicians
- 20th-century members of the Texas Legislature
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century members of the Texas Legislature
- Living people
- People from Flower Mound, Texas
- Presidents pro tempore of the Texas Senate
- Republican Party Texas state senators
- Secretaries of state of Texas
- Women state legislators in Texas
