Texas Nears New Voting Chief Before 2026 Midterms as Locals Question Front-Runner's Election Experience
Updated
Updated · NPR · Jun 24
Texas Nears New Voting Chief Before 2026 Midterms as Locals Question Front-Runner's Election Experience
3 articles · Updated · NPR · Jun 24
Summary
Texas is set to install a new secretary of state just ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, putting the state's top voting post in transition before closely contested races.
Local officials' concern centers on the leading candidate — a state lawmaker and pastor — because he has no election-administration experience.
The secretary of state oversees Texas elections, making the appointment especially sensitive as counties prepare for a high-stakes midterm cycle.
The debate reflects broader anxiety over whether political loyalty or technical expertise should guide election oversight in one of the country's biggest battleground states.