New U.S. Attorney appointed
Governor Greg Abbott had earlier appointed John Scott to replace Ken Paxton, who was impeached.
Austin, Texas
Governor Greg Abbott on Monday appointed Angela Colmenero as acting attorney general of Texas, pursuant to Article 15, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution, effective 10:00 a.m. Friday.
This announcement follows the departure of John Scott, whom the governor had appointed as Texas’ short-term interim attorney general in May, replacing Ken Paxton, who is subject to impeachment.
“John Scott faithfully performed his duties as Texas’ acting attorney general, and I thank him for his leadership in stepping forward to serve his fellow Texans in this role,” Governor Abbott said.
“Today, under the authorities granted by the Texas Constitution, I am appointing Angela Colmenero to serve as acting attorney general of Texas. In addition to her time in the Governor’s Office, Angela served under me in the Texas Attorney General’s Office and has first-hand experience with how the agency operates.
“Angela’s background of experience in state government and her litigation experience will help her oversee the Texas Attorney General’s Office and serve as our state’s chief law enforcement officer as the Texas Senate conducts impeachment proceedings,” he said.
Angela Colmenero, of Austin, was recently named Governor Abbott’s deputy chief of staff after serving as the governor’s principal deputy assistant general counsel since November 2021.
Prior to this position, she served as deputy general counsel to the governor beginning in September 2018.
Colmenero previously held various leadership positions for nearly a decade in the Texas Attorney General’s Office, including as Chief of the General Litigation Division and Deputy Chief of the Special Litigation Division.
She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School and the University of Texas at Austin.