The top election official in Texas will leave her post next month.

Jane Nelson announced her resignation this week, effective Friday, July 17, months before the 2026 midterm elections, which will feature a marquee U.S. Senate race between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, and state Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat.

"It has been an honor to serve the people of Texas in this role," Nelson said in a statement. "My time as Secretary came at an important moment for Texas, and I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish as an agency in under four years."

Gov. Greg Abbott, who is also up for reelection in the fall, praised Nelson, calling her a "true champion for the people of Texas."

"I am deeply grateful for her long and loyal service and outstanding leadership," Abbott said. "She has represented our state with grace and honor across the globe, and Texas is better because of it."

Nelson oversaw seven statewide elections and more than 27 million votes cast. In her role, she managed the disbursement of millions in grants to local counties to strengthen election integrity.

"It has been my goal to ensure that voting in Texas is secure, accessible and fair," Nelson said. "We have worked extensively to ensure accurate voter rolls and to educate voters about what they need to know to vote with confidence."

Nelson was unanimously confirmed by the state Senate in 2023 after spending 30 years in the chamber. She is the longest-serving Republican in Texas history and the first woman to chair the Senate Finance Committee.

During Nelson's tenure, Texas surpassed 3 million active business filers, a state record.

The agency processed millions of business filings and launched Texas Express, an expedited filing service allowing businesses access to same-day and next-day filing options.

While serving as secretary of state, Nelson was sued by her own party, who argued the state should allow political parties to bar voters who are not officially affiliated with their party from voting in party primaries, The New York Times reported.

The lawsuit, which Paxton supported, remains pending.