July 1, 2026 11:39 PM

Sources say Secretary of State Nelson is considering staying in office amid reported plan to install Schatzline as SOS

Second thoughts? The Texas Constitution does not empower the governor to unilaterally fire a confirmed SOS; Hancock is available at the end of the month, by the way

A standoff is brewing between Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson and Gov. Greg Abbott over his reported plan to install outgoing Rep. Nate Schatzline as the next SOS, according to multiple sources close to the situation tonight.

The possibility that Schatzline, a MAGA hardliner who has said the 2020 election was rigged, could be in line for the gig was first reported by Quorum Report.

Multiple sources this evening tell QR that Nelson, a former Senate Finance Chair respected on both sides of the aisle, has grown very uncomfortable with this reported plan. The open secret in Austin the last few weeks about this has been that the White House has demanded that Abbott install Schatzline ahead of the November election.

By Scott Braddock