U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) praised Texas’ new Secretary of State Robert Howden for opposing a Texas GOP lawsuit seeking closed primaries. Howden, who was appointed in July by Governor Greg Abbott, said the issue should be resolved by the Legislature.
[NOTE: The Republican Party of Texas and Howden’s predecessor, Jane Nelson, filed the lawsuit in September 2025, claiming the state’s open primary system violates the party’s First Amendment right “to determine who they associate with to select their nominees for public office.”]
Good for him! It is the law. Why exclude people who want to vote for Republicans in our primary and why would we want to narrow our base of support leading into general elections? https://t.co/i6xDvq7cXr
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) August 15, 2026
Cornyn wrote of Howden on social media: “Good for him! It is the law. Why exclude people who want to vote for Republicans in our primary and why would we want to narrow our base of support leading into general elections?”
Howden’s opposition to the lawsuit runs against Abbott’s promise in June at the Republican Party of Texas convention in Houston that “in the future, only Republicans vote in Republican primaries.”
The contradiction between Howden and Abbott on the issue is drawing debate and doubt from Texas Republicans. As one responded on X, “Didn’t @GregAbbott_TX appoint this guy? Seems sus. I don’t believe Abbott wants the primaries closed. He isn’t that popular with conservatives.”
Governor Abbott today swore in Robert S. Howden as the 116th Secretary of State of Texas.
With a career spanning four Republican gubernatorial administrations, Sec. Howden is ready to protect the integrity of Texas elections & represent our state on the global stage. pic.twitter.com/BQ8CGAORai
— Governor Abbott Press Office (@GovAbbottPress) July 20, 2026
[NOTE: Nelson resigned in July without providing a reason. When Abbott announced the appointment of Howden as Secretary of State, he wrote: “I have full confidence he will excel as Secretary of State. His experience in the legislative process and extensive public service have prepared him to protect the integrity of Texas elections and represent our state with strength on the global stage. Texas will benefit from his distinguished leadership.”]