Texas Faces Change in Top Voting Official Amid Midterm Elections

As the midterm elections approach, Texas is preparing for a new top voting official. The leading candidate is Nate Schatzline, a conservative state lawmaker and pastor. He lacks experience in election administration, raising concerns among locals. In Texas, the governor appoints the secretary of state. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has not yet announced when he will make a formal appointment. The current secretary of state, Jane Nelson, will remain in position until July 17 after announcing her resignation.

Chris McGinn, executive director of the Texas Association of County Election Officials, indicated that signs point to Schatzline as Nelson’s likely successor. Schatzline, a pastor at a Fort Worth megachurch, is associated with Christian nationalism. He has made unsubstantiated claims about election fraud in the U.S.

“I personally have not heard of another name floated,” noted McGinn.

McGinn prepared a report for Texas’s local voting officials, analyzing how Schatzline’s appointment might impact elections. Previous secretaries, such as Nelson, prioritized relationships with county officials and bipartisan cooperation. Schatzline, in contrast, might adopt a disruptive approach, catering to grassroots activism and employing the office for enforcement.

Schatzline, who does not seek reelection for his statehouse seat, did not respond to NPR’s request for comments. An Abbott spokesperson provided no details about Schatzline, stating only that an appointment announcement is forthcoming.

No Election Administration Experience

Despite Schatzline’s lack of experience in election oversight, it is not unprecedented for the secretary of state to lack such experience. Yet, should Schatzline assume the role, he must quickly learn the complexities of managing Texas voting procedures. The state has the second-highest number of registered voters in the nation, with several critical races influencing congressional power balance.

McGinn’s report highlighted Schatzline’s inexperience, noting, “He has never run an election, managed a polling place, or operated a county voter registration database.” Without practical experience, Schatzline may issue directives that are unmanageable or disruptive for local administrators, according to McGinn.

During his first session in the Texas House, Schatzline did not author election-related bills. However, in the 2025-’26 session, he authored or co-authored five bills. Interviews and social media posts reveal his alignment with former President Trump’s unfounded election fraud claims.

“It’s not even debatable the amount of election fraud we had through mail-in ballots,” Schatzline stated in a past interview.

Schatzline is closely aligned with Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. When scandal surrounded Paxton in 2023, Schatzline opposed impeachment and has maintained a supportive relationship with him. Paxton publicly expressed his friendship with Schatzline in 2025.

Unusual Timing

The timing of Nelson’s departure is unusual, especially so close to a federal election. Her resignation means that whoever Abbott appoints can serve in an acting capacity until the next legislative session confirms a permanent replacement. According to Anthony Gutierrez, executive director of Common Cause Texas, this reduces accountability for the appointee until after their primary election duties.

“We don’t get to see if this person is qualified to do the job … until they’ve carried out the most important part of the role,” Gutierrez commented.

Gutierrez expressed concern that a partisan appointment might influence the November election, where the stakes are significant. “This job is incredibly important,” he stressed, pointing out the potential for political bias over general support for elections.

Reporting contributions by NPR’s Ashley Lopez.