David Whitley (politician)

Gregory David Whitley is an American attorney and consultant who was the Acting Secretary of State of Texas from December 2018 to May 2019.[1][2][3] Texas Governor Greg Abbott nominated him to fill the position permanently. His confirmation was not voted on by the Texas Senate and he resigned shortly before their session ended.[3] Whitley's confirmation was marred by a miscalculation of illegal voters he identified for investigation.[4]

David Whitley
Secretary of State of Texas
Acting
In office
December 17, 2018 – May 27, 2019
GovernorGreg Abbott
Preceded byRolando Pablos
Succeeded byJoe Esparza (Acting)
Personal details
BornAlice, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Texas at Austin (BS, JD)

Career

Originally from Alice, Texas, Whitley earned his bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin.[5] He began working for Greg Abbott in 2004, when he was Attorney General of Texas. As Governor of Texas, Abbott appointed Whitley as Secretary of State to succeed Rolando Pablos, on December 17, 2018.[6]

As Secretary of State, Whitley identified 95,000 voters who he claimed were noncitizens and sent the names to county election boards in January 2019. Many of the individuals on the list were found to be valid, and lawsuits were filed to stop the voter purge.[7] Fred Biery, a judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, blocked the removal.[8] The Senate Committee on Nominations in the Texas Senate advanced Whitley's nomination on a 4–3, party line vote.[9] However, all 12 Democrats in the Texas Senate opposed Whitley's confirmation, which would have denied him the two-thirds vote required for confirmation.[10]

Whitley resigned as acting secretary of state on May 27, 2019, the same day he would have been removed from office if not confirmed.[3]

References
  1. Fine, Julie (February 25, 2019). "What Happens Next With Acting Texas Secretary of State". KXAS-TV. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  2. Ura, Alex; Platoff, Emma (February 22, 2019). "All 12 Senate Democrats oppose Texas Secretary of State David Whitley. That's more than enough to block his nomination". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  3. Morris, Allie (May 27, 2019). "Texas secretary of state resigns after botched voter purge". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  4. Ura, Alexa (February 6, 2019). "David Whitley could face a tough confirmation for Texas secretary of state". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  5. Anchondo, Carlos (December 17, 2018). "Gov. Greg Abbott selects David Whitley as new secretary of state". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  6. Acosta, Tim (December 17, 2018). "Alice native David Whitley named new Texas Secretary of State". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  7. Blanchard, Bobby (February 7, 2019). "Watch Texas Secretary of State David Whitley's confirmation hearing". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  8. Gonzales, Richard (January 30, 2019). "Federal Judge Orders Texas To End 'Flawed' Effort To ID Noncitizen Voters". NPR. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  9. Platoff, Emma (February 7, 2019). "Texas Senate panel advances David Whitley's bid for secretary of state". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  10. Ura, Alexa; Platoff, Emma (February 22, 2019). "Texas Democrats have the votes to block Secretary of State David Whitley". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
Political offices
Preceded by
Rolando Pablos		 Secretary of State of Texas
Acting
2018–2019		 Succeeded by
Joe Esparza
Acting
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