Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade submitted her letter of resignation to Governor Rick Perry Tuesday after more than four years in office.

"It has been the highest honor in my professional life to serve as Secretary of State for the greatest state in our nation," said Secretary Andrade. "I am truly humbled by the trust and confidence Governor Perry placed in me nearly four and a half years ago and will forever be grateful for the opportunity to represent Texas in this esteemed office." (Taken from the Texas Secretary of State website)

Secretary Andrade will leave office on Friday November 23, 2012 as the fourth-longest serving Texas Secretary of State.

"Following another successful election the secretary felt that now was a good time to make a transition and give someone else an opportunity to serve in this great office," said Alicia Pierce with the secretary's office.

Secretary Andrade served as chair of the Texas Transportation Commission prior to taking accepting the Secretary of State position on July 23, 2008, but she has not announced what her next career move will be.

"The Secretary doesn't have any immediate plans. She is honored to have served as the first Latina Secretary of State, and to have worked with Governor Perry to help in the fields of economic development and to have achieved a historically high number of voters here in Texas" says Pierce.

In October, voter registration numbers in Texas reached a record breaking 13.65 Million.

Secretary Andrade's last day will be this Friday, and Governor Perry's office is responsible for appointing her successor.

By: Marissa A. Wagner
Tuesday, November 20, 2012