Jane Nelson

Jane Gray Nelson[1] (born October 5, 1951)[2] is an American businesswoman and former educator[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
Assumed office
January 5, 2023
GovernorGreg Abbott
Preceded byJohn Scott
President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
In office
June 2, 2003 – April 20, 2004
Preceded byEddie Lucio Jr.
Succeeded byJeff Wentworth
Member of the Texas Senate
In office
January 1, 1993 – January 3, 2023
Preceded byBob Glasgow
Succeeded byTan Parker
Constituency22nd district (1993–1995)
9th district (1995–2003)
12th district (2003–2023)
Personal details
Born (1951-10-05) October 5, 1951
Hamilton, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMichael Nelson
Children5
EducationUniversity of North Texas (BS)
WebsiteOfficial website

Texas Senate

Nelson was the highest-ranking Republican woman in the Texas Senate. The tenth woman ever elected to the Texas Senate, she was the first Republican woman ever appointed chair of a standing committee and held the distinction of being longest-serving chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in Texas history. In 2015, she was appointed chair of the Senate Finance Committee, being the first woman to hold the position in the history of the Texas Senate. She also served as chair of the Sunset Advisory Commission.

During the 2013 legislative session, Nelson authored 40 bills that were passed into law by the Legislature, and she served as the Senate sponsor on 30 successful bills authored by House members. She served on 19 conference committees, including for SB 1, the appropriations bill. Nelson chaired the Article II workgroup, which increased the women's health budget by $100 million and made significant new investments in mental health and Child Protective Services.

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 Health and Human Services Committee

In July 2013, Nelson presided over a 16-hour hearing on an abortion bill that drew testimony from over 3,800 people, including 357 who provided oral testimony. The bill, HB 3, sought to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The bill also required abortion facilities to upgrade to ambulatory surgical standards.

Senate Finance Committee

In 2014 Senator 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 Senator Nelson in her honor.[8]

References
  1. "Capitol Connection: Jane Nelson". UTA Magazine. XXIII (2). Winter 2001. Archived from the original on September 8, 2006. Retrieved January 3, 2007.
  2. Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) (September 13, 2002). "State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election". Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
  3. "Jane Gray Nelson's Biography".
  4. Fine, Julie (December 6, 2022). "Gov. Abbott to Appoint Longtime North Texas State Senator to Secretary of State". NBCDFW. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  5. Nelson Named Texas Pta Champion For Children - Cross Timbers Gazette: Southern Denton County: Flower Mound: News Mark Smith - https://www.crosstimbersgazette.com/2019/10/17/nelson-named-texas-pta-champion-for-children/
  6. "Veteran Denton County GOP lawmaker Jane Nelson will not seek 11th term in Texas Senate". July 5, 2021.
  7. Staff report. "Nelson appointed chairwoman of finance committee". Star Local. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  8. "The Texas State Senate – Press Items: Senator Jane Nelson". senate.texas.gov. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
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