(Austin, TEXAS) – Today, Gov. Greg Abbott appointed John Scott — an attorney involved in Donald Trump’s challenge of the 2020 election results in Pennsylvania — as Texas’ Secretary of State.
Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie) issued the following statement in response:
“The governor’s choice for Secretary of State is unfortunately consistent with his anti-democracy agenda. Abbott is appointing one of the architects of Republicans’ big lie that Donald Trump actually won the 2020 election to oversee all electoral activity in our state.
“The governor had every opportunity to appoint a new Secretary of State during one of his many special sessions to allow the Texas Senate to hold a confirmation hearing. Instead, he waited until the Legislature adjourned, denying Texans the fair and transparent process they deserve.
“The freedom to vote is a sacred right. Texans need a Secretary of State that will fight for and protect that right — and not undermine it for political gain.
“Once again, Gov. Abbott’s actions demonstrate exactly why we need immediate federal voter protection legislation. This is one more reason the U.S. Senate must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.”
