Texas’ new elections chief joined Trump’s challenge in 2020

By PAUL J. WEBER
Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has picked a new elections chief who briefly joined former President Donald Trump’s failed efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. The appointment Thursday of John Scott as Texas Secretary of State comes near the end of an already highly charged year in Texas over elections. Trump has also been pressuring Abbott in recent weeks to perform a full audit of the state’s 2020 election results despite winning Texas by more than 300,000 votes. Democrats criticized Abbott for making the appointment just days after the Texas Legislature adjourned. That means Scott can take the job without having to submit to an immediate confirmation process.