Jane Nelson
Jane Nelson (Republican Party) is the Texas Secretary of State. She assumed office on January 7, 2023. Her current term ends on January 19, 2027.
Nelson (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Texas State Senate to represent District 12. She won in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) appointed Nelson as Texas secretary of state on January 5, 2023, to replace John Scott (R).[1]
Biography
Jane Nelson graduated with a B.S. in education from The University of North Texas in 1972 and also did post-graduate work at Southern Methodist University from 1973 to 1975.
Nelson was a community education instructor from 1980 to 1989 and a teacher from 1973 to 1978. Prior to her position in the state Senate, she was also on the State Board of Education from 1988 to 1992.[2]
Political career
Below is a list of offices within Ballotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, please contact us.
Nelson's political career includes the following offices:
- 2023-present: Texas Secretary of State
- 1993-2022: Texas State Senate District 12
- 1988-1992: Texas State Board of Education
Elections
2022
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2022
Jane Nelson did not file to run for re-election.
2020
See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Texas State Senate District 12
Incumbent Jane Nelson defeated Shadi Zitoon in the general election for Texas State Senate District 12 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jane Nelson (R) | 62.3 | 293,399 |
 | Shadi Zitoon (D)  | 37.7 | 177,610 | |
| Total votes: 471,009 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 12
Shadi Zitoon defeated Randy Daniels in the Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 12 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Shadi Zitoon | 57.5 | 32,831 |
| Randy Daniels | 42.5 | 24,291 | ||
| Total votes: 57,122 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 12
Incumbent Jane Nelson advanced from the Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 12 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jane Nelson | 100.0 | 63,061 |
| Total votes: 63,061 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
2016
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Texas State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 14, 2015.[3]
Incumbent Jane Nelson defeated Rod Wingo in the Texas State Senate District 12 general election.[4]
| Texas State Senate, District 12 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Jane Nelson Incumbent |
82.98% | 241,232 | |
| Libertarian | Rod Wingo | 17.02% | 49,465 | |
| Total Votes | 290,697 | |||
| Source: Texas Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Jane Nelson ran unopposed in the Texas State Senate District 12 Republican Primary.[5][6]
| Texas State Senate, District 12 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Jane Nelson Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2012
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2012
Nelson ran in the 2012 election for Texas State Senate, District 12. Nelson ran unopposed in the May 29 primary election and defeated John A. Betz, Jr. (L) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jane Nelson Incumbent |
83.4% | 203,988 | |
| Libertarian | John Betz, Jr. | 16.6% | 40,570 | |
| Total Votes | 244,558 | |||
2010
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2010
Nelson won re-election to the 12th District seat in 2010, defeating Libertarian candidate Mark Frohman in the general election on November 6, 2012.[7]
| Texas State Senate, District 12 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Jane Nelson (R)
|
148,592 | 86.14% | ||
| Mark Frohman (L) | 23,894 | 13.85% | ||
2006
On Nov. 7, 2006, Nelson won re-election to the 12th District seat in the Texas State Senate, defeating opponents Dwight B. Fullingim (D) and Morgan Ware (L).[7]
Nelson raised $764,145 for her campaign while Fullingim raised $245 and Ware raised $0.[8]
| Texas State Senate, District 12 (2006) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Jane Nelson (R)
|
109,513 | 63.98% | ||
| Dwight B. Fullingim (D) | 55,380 | 32.35% | ||
| Morgan Ware (L) | 6,273 | 3.66% | ||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jane Nelson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Nelson and her husband, J. Michael, have five children.
Awards
- Public Policy Leadership Award (2011), Texas Network of Youth Services[9]
State legislative tenure
Committee assignments
2021-2022
Nelson was assigned to the following committees:
2019-2020
Nelson was assigned to the following committees:
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Finance, Chair |
| • State Affairs |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Nelson served on the following committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Finance, Chair |
| • State Affairs |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Nelson served on the following committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Finance |
| • Health & Human Services, Chair |
| • Nominations |
2010-2011
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Nelson served on the following Texas Senate committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Health & Human Services, Chair |
| • Finance |
| • Government Organization |
| • Nominations |
| • Joint Committee on Oversight of HHS Eligibility System |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Nelson served on the following Texas Senate committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Health & Human Services |
| • Finance |
| • Government Organization |
| • Nominations |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Texas State Legislature in 2025.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Sierra Club Texas — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Sierra Club Texas — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Texans for Fiscal Responsibility — Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Texans for Fiscal Responsibility — Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Texas Right to Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Texas Right to Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Texas Values Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues.
- Texas Values Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues.
- The Freedom Index — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
- The Freedom Index — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
In 2024, the Texas State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Texas State Legislature in 2023.
- Sierra Club Texas — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Sierra Club Texas — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Texans for Fiscal Responsibility — Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Texans for Fiscal Responsibility — Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Texas Right to Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Texas Right to Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Texas Values Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues.
- Texas Values Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- The Institute for Legislative Analysis — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
- The Institute for Legislative Analysis — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
In 2022, the Texas State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Texas State Legislature in 2021.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Sierra Club Texas — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Texans for Fiscal Responsibility — Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Texas Right to Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Texas Values Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
In 2020, the Texas State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Texas State Legislature in 2019.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Environment Texas — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and public health issues.
- Texans for Fiscal Responsibility — Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Texas Eagle Forum — Legislators are scored based on votes relating to conservative issues.
- Texas Right to Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Texas Values Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
In 2018, the Texas State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Texas State Legislature in 2017.
- Conservative Roundtable — Legislators are scored on their votes for or against the organization's position and principles.
- Environment Texas — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and public health issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Sierra Club Texas — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Texans for Fiscal Responsibility — Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Texans for Vaccine Choice — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Texas Alliance For Life — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to social issues.
- Texas Association of Business — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to businesses, taxpayers, and families.
- Texas Right to Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Texas Values Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Young Conservatives of Texas — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
In 2016, the Texas State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Texas State Legislature in 2015.
- Americans for Prosperity - Texas — Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation.
- Concerned Women for America of Texas — Legislators are scored based on votes on bills relating to abortion, common core, and sex trafficking.
- Conservative Roundtable — Legislators are scored on their votes for or against the organization's position and principles.
- Environment Texas — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and public health issues.
- Heritage Alliance — Legislators are scored based on votes on social issues, economic issues, and other issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Texans for Fiscal Responsibility — Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Texas Association of Business — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to businesses, taxpayers, and families.
- Texas Eagle Forum — Legislators are scored based on votes relating to conservative issues.
- Texas Right to Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
In 2014, the Texas State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Texas State Legislature in 2013.
- Concerned Women for America of Texas — Legislators are scored based on votes on bills relating to abortion, common core, and sex trafficking.
- Conservative Roundtable — Legislators are scored on their votes for or against the organization's position and principles.
- Equality Texas — Legislators are scored on bills related to LGBT issues.
- NARAL Pro-Choice Texas — Legislators are scored based on votes for House Bill 2.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Texans for Fiscal Responsibility — Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills relating to taxes and property rights.
- Texas Association of Business — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to businesses, taxpayers, and families.
- Texas Eagle Forum — Legislators are scored based on votes relating to conservative issues.
- Texas League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored based on votes relating to environment and conservation issues.
- Texas Right to Life — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Young Conservatives of Texas — Legislators are scored based on votes for Amendments 2, 12, 51, 95, and 118.
In 2012, the Texas State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Texas State Legislature in 2011.
- Conservative Roundtable — Legislators are scored on their votes for or against the organization's position and principles.
- Heritage Alliance — Legislators are scored based on votes on social issues, economic issues, and other issues.
- Humane Society Legislative Fund — Legislators are scored on their votes on animal protection bills.
- Texans for Fiscal Responsibility — Legislators are scored based by the organization on their votes on bills relating to "core budget and free enterprise issues."
- Texas Eagle Forum — Legislators are scored based on votes relating to conservative issues.
- Texas League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored based on votes relating to environment and conservation issues.
- Texas Watch — Legislators are scored based on consumer-related bills.
- Young Conservatives of Texas — Legislators are scored based on their votes on conservative issues.
See also
| Texas | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Jane Nelson Officially Appointed 115th Texas Secretary of State," January 5, 2023
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Biography," accessed May 24, 2014
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 14, 2015
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2016 General Election," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2016 March Primary Election Candidate Filings by County," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History results," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History," accessed February 17, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Candidate funds," accessed May 24, 2014
- ↑ Texas Insider, "Senator Nelson Receives Award for Foster Care Redesign," August 18, 2011
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Scott (R) |
Texas Secretary of State 2023-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Texas State Senate District 12 1993-2022 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Texas State Board of Education 1988-1992 |
Succeeded by - |
