(Austin, TX) — Texas has a new secretary of state as of this week.

Governor Greg Abbott appointed his deputy chief of staff, David Whitley, to the office on Monday.  Whitley took over for former Secretary of State Rolando Pablos, whose last day on the job was Saturday.  Whitley’s duties will include serving as the state’s chief elections officer and the governor’s liaison on Mexican and border affairs.  Whitley has also served as the assistant deputy Texas attorney general.