COMMENTARY: Greg Abbott: Strong Voice For The Rio Grande Valley
By Greg Abbott
McAllen Monitor
On election night, I made a promise to the people of Texas. As governor-elect, I would begin work immediately to keep Texas the beacon of opportunity and the best state in the United States of America.
That is the same promise I made this Tuesday to the people of the Rio Grande Valley at an economic development roundtable with a bipartisan group of business and political leaders in Brownsville.
There is a reason the Rio Grande Valley was the first of my visits after the election. There is probably no region in the state of Texas poised for greater advancement because of the potential that is being realized.
With the Rio Grande Valley playing such an important role economically and culturally for the future of the state, I will ask for the indulgence of voters in Cameron County as I announce my first appointment as governor-elect: I am asking Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos to serve as our next secretary of state.
I know Judge Cascos will give the Rio Grande Valley a strong voice in Austin, and he will inspire the next generation of Hispanic leaders as he works on behalf of all the people of Texas.
First elected in 2006, Judge Cascos is a certified public accountant and has previously served as a county commissioner and on the Texas Public Safety Commission, which oversees the Texas Department of Public Safety.
As secretary of state, Judge Cascos will act as the chief elections officer for Texas, administering election law and educating future voters. He will also oversee the registration of businesses and corporations in Texas as well as serve as liaison for the governor’s office on border and Mexican affairs and as chief protocol officer for state and international affairs.