Georgia's New Secretary Of State Makes History

ATLANTA, GA -- While Stacey Abrams continues her quest to become the nation's first-ever African-American female governor, a little-known political appointee made some Georgia history on her own this week. On Thursday, Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Robyn Crittenden as secretary of state, making her the first African-American woman to ever serve in a statewide constitutional office. Crittenden will fill out the rest of Brian Kemp's term. Kemp officially resigned Thursday as he prepares to become Georgia's next governor.

Kemp has named his transition team, while Abrams is mounting a cavalcade of legal challenges, hoping to force the governor's race into a runoff.

Crittenden is the former commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services. “Robyn’s experience as an attorney, public servant and agency head make her exceptionally qualified to fill the role of Georgia’s secretary of state,” said Deal. “She is a leader with brilliant intellect, high integrity, and a wide range of experience in public service. Robyn has been one of the most effective leaders within my administration and she is well-qualified to fill one of the most important jobs in state government.”

In 2015, Deal appointed Crittenden to be DHS commissioner after she served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Georgia Student Finance Commission. She previously served in the executive leadership of the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Crittenden’s experience includes working as general counsel at Morehouse College and as the assistant vice chancellor of Legal Affairs-Contracts for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

She was also an assistant county attorney in DeKalb County and an associate at the law firm of Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy. Crittenden earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Yale University and a law degree from the University of Michigan School of Law. She has one child and lives in Tucker.

As of Friday morning, no official winner has been declared in the secretary of state's race between Republican Brad Raffensperger, with 49.20% of the vote, or Democrat John Barrow, with 48.57% of the vote. Libertarian Smythe Duval, with 2.23% of the vote, appears to have forced the contest into a runoff, but these are unofficial numbers from the secretary of state.

SEE ALSO:

• Kemp Resigns As Sec. Of State, Names Governor's Transition Team
• Kemp Claims Win In GA Governor's Race; Abrams Doesn't Concede
• Gallery: Election Day In Georgia

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