Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has appointed Angela Colmenero to be the state's interim Attorney General (TXAG) beginning July 14. Colmenero replaces John Scott, interim TXAG since May.
"John Scott faithfully executed his duties as the interim Attorney General of Texas, and I thank him for his leadership in stepping up to serve his fellow Texans in this role," Abbott said in a July 10 press release announcing the appointment. "Today, under authorities granted by the Texas Constitution, I appoint Angela Colmenero to serve as interim Attorney General of Texas."
Colmenero, who most recently served as Abbott's Deputy Chief of Staff, was Principal Deputy General Counsel to the Governor since November 2021, according to the release, and as Deputy General Counsel to the Governor starting in September 2018. She has held leadership positions for the past 10 years at the TXAG's Office, including Chief of the General Litigation Division and Deputy Chief of the Special Litigation Division. Colmenero graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School and the University of Texas at Austin, the release states.
Scott served as interim TXAG after the previous attorney general Ken Paxton (R) was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives and suspended. KVUE News reported July 10 that "(t)he reason behind Scott's departure is currently unclear." The Texas Tribune, in a report published July 10, stated the announcement of Scott's departure "was something of a surprise," although Abbott had suggested Scott's appointment was to be temporary, according to the Tribune report. The Tribune reported that Scott said his appointment “was always with an understanding that my duration would be limited in time.”
Paxton was impeached on a 121-33 vote by the lower house of the Texas Legislature on May 27. A lower chamber panel recommended corruption charges against Paxton arising from allegations his office attempted to get lawmakers to settle a $3.3 million lawsuit brought against him by a whistleblower, according to the Tribune. Paxton's trial is scheduled for September, the Tribune reported.
"In addition to her time in the Office of the Governor, Angela served under me in the Texas Attorney General’s Office and has firsthand experience on how the agency operates," Abbott said in the statement. "Angela's record of experience in state government and expertise in litigation will help her oversee the Texas Attorney General's Office and serve as our state’s top law enforcement officer as the Texas Senate conducts impeachment proceedings."