AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Angela Colmenero as the interim Attorney General, he announced Monday.
Colmenero is the second interim AG to be appointed since AG Ken Paxton was impeached in May. She will take over the position from John Scott, former Secretary of State, whom Abbott appointed in May. Abbott said Scott’s initial appointment, which lasted six weeks, was for the short term.
“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 statement.
Colmenero, of Austin, will take over the position effective Friday, officials said. She was named Abbott’s Deputy Chief of Staff after serving as Principal Deputy General Counsel to the governor since November 2021. Prior to that position, she served as Deputy General Counsel to the Governor.
Colmenero also previously held various leadership positions for nearly a decade at the Texas Attorney General’s Office, including as Chief of the General Litigation Division and Deputy Chief of the Special Litigation Division.
“(Colmenero’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,” Abbott said.
Paxton was suspended from the position in May after being impeached by the House 121-23. Paxton has been accused of 20 acts of wrongdoing including bribery, abuse of official capacity, conspiracy, retaliation, misuse of information and other charges. The Senate is scheduled to begin his trial in September.