AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott appointed John Scott as Texas’ new secretary of state Thursday. Scott is a Fort Worth attorney who briefly represented former President Donald Trump in a lawsuit challenging the 2020 election results in Pennsylvania.

What You Need To Know

  • Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday announced he has selected Fort Worth attorney John Scott as the new secretary of state

  • In addition to trying more than 100 lawsuits, Scott briefly worked on former President Trump's challenge to the 2020 election results in Pennsylvania

  • Abbott said he selected Scott based on his history of state service 

  • In a statement, Common Cause Texas, an open government group, said Scott "worked to undermine our 2020 election for partisan interests"

 

He comes into the role poised to gain new powers after Republicans in the Texas Legislature passed a divisive elections law this year. He must also still be confirmed by the state Senate, but the Legislature is not set to meet again until 2023, meaning Scott will be in place through the upcoming 2022 midterm elections. The role has been vacant for months.

Abbott cited Scott’s history of state service in his decision to appoint him.

"John Scott is a proven leader with a passion for public service, and his decades of experience in election law and litigation make him the ideal choice for the Texas Secretary of State," Abbott said in a statement. "John understands the importance of protecting the integrity of our elections and building the Texas brand on an international stage. I am confident that John's experience and expertise will enhance his oversight and leadership over the biggest and most thorough election audit in the country.”

Abbott did not mention Scott’s role with the Trump campaign in his announcement. Scott and state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, briefly represented the campaign in its legal battle to stop Pennsylvania from certifying its election results. Scott and Hughes withdrew before a federal judge threw the case out.

Common Cause Texas, an open government group, cited Scott’s involvement with the Trump campaign in opposing the appointment.

“Not only did Gov. Greg Abbott appoint someone who worked to undermine our 2020 election for partisan interests, he literally waited until Texas legislators left town to avoid the confirmation process until 2023,” said Stephanie Gomez, Common Cause Texas associate director. “The timing of this announcement is clearly intended to subvert our democratic process in a way that allows Greg Abbott’s completely unsuitable nominee to oversee our 2022 elections without having to face confirmation hearings.”

Matt Angle, the director of the Lone Star Project, which helps to elect Democratic candidates, said Abbott’s “surrender to Donald Trump betrays every Texan.”

“With Greg Abbott's latest pick for Texas Secretary of State, any doubt that Abbott hasn't caved entirely to Donald Trump and conspiracy theorists can be quickly dismissed,” Angle said in a statement.

Scott is from Fort Worth and has more than 33 years of experience as an attorney. He’s successfully tried more than 100 lawsuits and has handled cases at the U.S. Supreme Court. He previously served as deputy attorney general for civil litigation for then-Attorney General Greg Abbott.