Who Is Running for Governor of Texas in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Greg Abbott
(Incumbent)Economy
HighGovernor Greg Abbott supports policies aimed at maintaining Texas' economic attractiveness, job growth, and affordability. He spearheaded a permanent 25% cut to the business franchise tax and enacted an $18 billion property tax reduction in 2023. These tax reforms, including increased homestead exemptions and appraisal caps for small businesses, are intended to drive down school district property tax rates.
Immigration
HighGovernor Greg Abbott supports state-level immigration enforcement, including continuing to bus undocumented individuals to sanctuary cities as a political message. He also directed public universities and state agencies to freeze new H-1B visa applications. Abbott called for ICE to recalibrate its mission to focus on removing individuals unlawfully present in the country, aiming to restore public trust. He signed Senate Bill 8, mandating county sheriffs to cooperate with ICE.
Healthcare
HighGovernor Greg Abbott has received endorsements from major Texas healthcare groups including the Texas Pharmacy Association and Texas Hospital Association for his record on strengthening the state’s healthcare system. He emphasizes defending free-market principles, local control, and patient access by expanding hospitals and pharmacies. Abbott has also signed legislation to create stringent abortion laws, stating his commitment to protecting every human life and supporting the pro-life movement.
Democratic Candidate
No Democratic candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | Greg Abbott |
|---|---|
| Economy | Governor Greg Abbott supports policies aimed at maintaining Texas' economic attractiveness, job growth, and affordability. He spearheaded a permanent 25% cut to the business franchise tax and enacted an $18 billion property tax reduction in 2023. These tax reforms, including increased homestead exemptions and appraisal caps for small businesses, are intended to drive down school district property tax rates. High |
| Immigration | Governor Greg Abbott supports state-level immigration enforcement, including continuing to bus undocumented individuals to sanctuary cities as a political message. He also directed public universities and state agencies to freeze new H-1B visa applications. Abbott called for ICE to recalibrate its mission to focus on removing individuals unlawfully present in the country, aiming to restore public trust. He signed Senate Bill 8, mandating county sheriffs to cooperate with ICE. High |
| Healthcare | Governor Greg Abbott has received endorsements from major Texas healthcare groups including the Texas Pharmacy Association and Texas Hospital Association for his record on strengthening the state’s healthcare system. He emphasizes defending free-market principles, local control, and patient access by expanding hospitals and pharmacies. Abbott has also signed legislation to create stringent abortion laws, stating his commitment to protecting every human life and supporting the pro-life movement. High |
| Climate & Energy | Greg Abbott supports investments in infrastructure and emergency management to build disaster resilience. He has advocated for the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program and increased penalties for fraud during declared disasters. His administration also dedicated funding to fire departments in high-risk areas for large wildfires and directed the development of critical infrastructure emergency response maps. Efforts also include enhancing grid reliability, such as extensive vegetation management to mitigate ice storm impacts. Medium |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Greg Abbott has signed legislation such as the Woman and Child Protection Act (House Bill 7), which allows citizens to hold accountable those who mail abortion-inducing drugs into Texas. He also signed measures to stop cities from using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion or abortion travel, and promotes adoption. Abbott emphasizes protecting unborn children and supporting women's healthcare, citing investments in women's health programs and alternatives to abortion. High |
| Foreign Policy | Governor Greg Abbott has taken steps to tighten Texas' cybersecurity defenses by expanding the list of technologies state employees are prohibited from using on government devices. These restrictions target hardware, software, and artificial intelligence tools linked to the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party. The governor's action aims to prevent foreign actors from accessing sensitive state data or exploiting government systems. Low |
| Education | Greg Abbott has championed school choice, stating it empowers parents and helps Texas achieve a top ranking in education by disrupting education monopolies. He delivered on this promise by signing legislation to expand educational freedom and making transformational investments in public education. These include providing $4 billion for teacher and staff pay raises and expanding career training education. Additionally, he proposes ending school property taxes for homeowners but vetoed a $60 million federal summer lunch program, citing fiscal concerns. High |
| Gun Policy | Greg Abbott supports the right of Texans to carry guns and has signed legislation to strengthen gun rights, including concealed, campus, and constitutional carry laws. He opposes red flag laws, citing concerns about due process and Second Amendment rights. Abbott has also declared Texas a Second Amendment sanctuary state and vowed to resist federal gun control measures, asserting that addressing mental health is the long-term solution to violence. High |
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