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Biography of Secretary of State Esperanza "Hope" Andrade

Biography of Secretary of State Esperanza "Hope" Andrade

Esperanza “Hope” Andrade is Texas’ 107th Secretary of State and one of six state officials to form the Executive Department of the State of Texas. Governor Rick Perry appointed Secretary Andrade as the first Latina Secretary of State, swearing her into office on July 23, 2008.

Secretary Andrade serves as Texas’ chief elections officer, chief international protocol officer and Border Commerce Coordinator for the Governor. Before being appointed Secretary of State, she served as chair of the Texas Transportation Committee. Prior to serving in state office, Secretary Andrade was a successful entrepreneur and leader in the San Antonio business community for more than three decades.

The Secretary’s civic service includes previous leadership roles with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Free Trade Alliance of San Antonio, the United Way, the San Antonio Symphony and the board of trustees for Our Lady of the Lake University.

In recognition of her service to Texas, Secretary Andrade has received a number of accolades including the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Hope for Children Esperanza Award, and the San Antonio Leadership Hall of Fame Award. Additionally she has been named the Woman of the Year by the Houston Chapter of the Women’s Transportation Seminar, Mother of the Year by Avance and Small Business Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Administration.

Secretary Andrade resides in San Antonio with her husband of 43 years, and has a son, a daughter-in-law, and three grandsons.