Steve McCraw, the Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), has announced his retirement, effective at the end of this year. This decision comes as the department faces an investigation by the Texas Attorney General’s office concerning voter registration drives.
McCraw made the announcement during a DPS graduation ceremony in Austin on Friday morning. Reflecting on his decision, he stated, “It’s an easy thing to do because I know that Governor Greg Abbott will ensure that my replacement is as good and likely better than I am at this particular job.”
The announcement follows reports that left-leaning nonprofit organizations were allegedly registering non-citizens to vote outside of DPS locations. Earlier this week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a comprehensive investigation into these activities.
In a press release, Paxton emphasized, “It is a crime to vote—or to register to vote—if you are not a United States Citizen.”
The press release further revealed that undercover evidence had been gathered showing these activities at multiple locations. Following Paxton’s announcement, Governor Abbott stated, “Texas wouldn’t let cheaters influence Texas elections.”
NEW: @TxDPS Director Steve McCraw just announced his retirement at the trooper graduation ceremony in Austin—Saying he will hang up his hat at the end of the year.
After 15 years in the position—McCraw says he knows Governor Abbott will pick the best person to replace him.
— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) August 23, 2024
In response to the investigation, McCraw sent an internal directive to temporarily halt the registration activities of these organizations on DPS properties. A confidential source within DPS disclosed to Texas Scorecard that, despite federal laws intertwining voter registration with the driver’s license application process, some groups were allowed to register voters outside DPS locations.
The internal unrest within DPS over these activities has raised questions about McCraw’s awareness and involvement. Since voter registration is typically offered when applying for a driver’s license under the 1993 Motor Voter Act, additional registration efforts on DPS grounds appear unnecessary. The goal of these operations seems to be registering legal non-citizens who can obtain state IDs but are not eligible to vote.
McCraw has served as the head of DPS since 2009. His law enforcement career began in 1977 as a Trooper in the Texas Highway Patrol division, and he later became an FBI Special Agent in 1983. After retiring from the FBI in 2004, he served as the Texas Homeland Security Director under former Governor Rick Perry.
