David Whitley (politician)

David Whitley
David Whitley
Secretary of State of Texas; Acting
	In office; December 17, 2018 – May 27, 2019
Governor	Greg Abbott
Preceded by	Rolando Pablos
Succeeded by	Joe Esparza (Acting)
Personal details
Born	Alice, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	University of Texas at Austin (BS, JD)

Gregory David Whitley is an American attorney and consultant to the Republican Party who asked to be appointed to the position of Acting Secretary of State of Texas by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. He served from December 2018 to May 2019. Whitley's confirmation was marred by his miscalculation calling for the investigation of 95,000 voters he identified as illegal.[1][2][3] Republican President Donald Trump used this alleged information to claim wide spread illegal voting in the United States. Whitley could not muster enough votes in the Texas Senate to be confirmed and he resigned shortly before their session ended.[3][4]

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 Acting 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

Fine, Julie (February 25, 2019). "What Happens Next With Acting Texas Secretary of State". KXAS-TV. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
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.
Morris, Allie (May 27, 2019). "Texas secretary of state resigns after botched voter purge". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
Ura, Alexa (February 6, 2019). "David Whitley could face a tough confirmation for Texas secretary of state". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
Anchondo, Carlos (December 17, 2018). "Gov. Greg Abbott selects David Whitley as new secretary of state". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
Acosta, Tim (December 17, 2018). "Alice native David Whitley named new Texas Secretary of State". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
Blanchard, Bobby (February 7, 2019). "Watch Texas Secretary of State David Whitley's confirmation hearing". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
Gonzales, Richard (January 30, 2019). "Federal Judge Orders Texas To End 'Flawed' Effort To ID Noncitizen Voters". NPR. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
Platoff, Emma (February 7, 2019). "Texas Senate panel advances David Whitley's bid for secretary of state". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
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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[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.

[resigns-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.