TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
WHEREAS, the power of impeachment is vested in the Texas House of Representatives by Article XV, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution; and
WHEREAS, on May 27, 2023, the Texas House of Representatives adopted House Resolution No. 2377 to prefer articles of impeachment against Warren Kenneth Paxton Jr., Attorney General of Texas; and
WHEREAS, on May 29, 2023, a certified copy of such articles of impeachment was delivered to the Texas Senate, where impeachment of the Attorney General shall be tried in due course pursuant to Article XV, Section 2 of the Texas Constitution; and
WHEREAS, a vacancy in the office of Attorney General was thus created by operation of Article XV, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution, which dictates that all officers against whom articles of impeachment may be preferred shall be suspended from the exercise of the duties of their office during the pendency of such impeachment; and
WHEREAS, on May 31, 2023, I made a provisional appointment of John Scott to serve as Attorney General under Article XV, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution; and
WHEREAS, with gratitude for his service, I have accepted John Scott's resignation from that short-term position, effective at 10:00 a.m. on July 14, 2023, which creates a vacancy in the office of Attorney General;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article XV, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution, do hereby make a provisional appointment of Angela Colmenero to serve as Attorney General, effective from 10:00 a.m. on July 14, 2023 until the decision on the impeachment.
In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 13th day of July, 2023.
Greg Abbott, Governor
TRD-202302557