Who is Robyn Crittenden?

Georgia’s new secretary of state was appointed Thursday by governor

Georgia’s interim secretary of state, Robyn Crittenden, is an attorney who for three years has led the Georgia Department of Human Services, the largest agency in state government.

Crittenden was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday after Secretary of State Brian Kemp resigned, saying he needed to prepare to become governor. Incomplete election results showed Kemp, a Republican, held the lead over Democrat Stacey Abrams.

Crittenden is a longtime ally with Deal, serving with first lady Sandra Deal as co-chairwoman of the Older Adults Cabinet and working to combat hunger among senior citizens.

She also has an extensive resume in government.

She has served as general counsel at Morehouse College, chief operating officer for the Georgia Student Finance Commission, assistant vice chancellor for legal affairs for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and assistant county attorney in DeKalb County.

As commissioner for the Department of Human Services since July 2015, she has overseen 9,400 employees and a $1.9 billion annual budget. The agency provides child support services, aging services, and family and children services.

She oversaw substantial changes in technology at the department, according to her bio. They include the creation of Georgia Gateway, a website that helps people get public assistance in Georgia, and the Child Support Mobile App, which allows parents to perform case actions on their phones.

As Georgia’s 23rd secretary of state, Crittenden will be responsible for certifying the results of Tuesday’s election Nov. 19. She’ll also manage business registrations and professional licensing.

She’ll serve in that office only for a couple of months.

A runoff election Dec. 4 between Republican Brad Raffensperger and Democrat John Barrow will decide who wins a four-year term as secretary of state.

Robyn Crittenden