Texas' New Secretary Of State Pick Helped Trump Try To Overturn Election Results

John Scott briefly helped Trump in one of his many failed attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent appointment for secretary of state is a lawyer who tried to help former President Donald Trump overturn the 2020 presidential election. 

Abbott appointed lawyer John Scott on Thursday, giving Scott the power to oversee election administrations in a Republican-controlled state that has clamped down on voting rights.

“John understands the importance of protecting the integrity of our elections and building the Texas brand on an international stage,” Abbott said in a statement. “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.”

Scott briefly helped Trump in one of the former president’s many failed attempts to overturn a free and fair election that he lost to President Joe Biden. As The Texas Tribune pointed out, Scott signed on as counsel to a lawsuit filed by Trump on Nov. 13 to block the certification of Pennsylvania’s 2020 election results. Scott backed out of the lawsuit just days after joining the team and on the eve of a key hearing in the case that Trump went on to lose.

Scott will serve as interim secretary of state until he is confirmed by the state legislature, which is scheduled to convene again in 2023.

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost