Jane Nelson

Jane Gray Nelson^[1] (born October 5, 1951)^[2] is an American businesswoman and former school teacher^[3] who serves as the Secretary of State of Texas since 2023. She was 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.

Jane Nelson
115th Secretary of State of Texas
Incumbent
Assumed office January 5, 2023
Governor	Greg Abbott
Preceded by	John Scott
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	(1951-10-05) October 5, 1951 (age 73) Hamilton, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Michael Nelson
Children	5
Education	University of North Texas (BS)
Website	Official website

Texas Senate

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

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]