Greg Abbott — Republican Candidate for Governor in Texas, 2026

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.

“We have continued busing migrants to sanctuary cities all across the country. . . . Those buses will continue to roll until we finally secure our border.” - Governor Greg Abbott, Republican National Convention speech (Source: onthecusp.untdallas.edu)”

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.

““Health care advisors should have access to all of the technology and education needed to make an informed decision, and these groups are massive advocates for providers,” said Governor Abbott. “By expanding hospitals and pharmacies across the state, we can ensure Texans have greater access to the care they need. Together, we will build a healthier and stronger Texas for generations to come.” - Governor Greg Abbott, gregabbott.com, February 17, 2026”

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.

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.

“The U.S. Supreme Court correctly overturned Roe v. Wade and reinstated the right of states to protect innocent, unborn children. Texas is a pro-life state, and we have taken significant action to protect the sanctity of life. Texas has also prioritized supporting women's healthcare and expectant mothers in need to give them the necessary resources so that they can choose life for their child. I signed laws that extended Medicaid health care coverage to six months post-partum, appropriated $345 million for women's health programs, and invested more than $100 million toward our Alternatives to Abortion program. This critical program provides counseling, mentoring, care coordination, and material assistance, such as car seats, diapers, and housing to mothers in need." — Greg Abbott, Office of the Texas Governor, June 24, 2022”

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.

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.

““When I ran for re-election in 2022, I promised Texans that we will bring education freedom to every Texas family,” said Governor Abbott. “Today, Texas delivers on that promise. I am signing this law that will ensure Texas families, whose children can no longer be served by the public school assigned to them, have the choice to take their money and find the school that is right for them. This success could not have been accomplished without the hard work of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, Chairman Brandon Creighton, Chairman Brad Buckley, and the tireless efforts of school choice advocates across Texas. Today is a historic day, where we come together at the Governor’s Mansion to proudly deliver school choice for Texans.” (Governor Greg Abbott, Press Release, December 30, 2025)”

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.

““I’ve signed about 30 laws. Texas has the most comprehensive 2nd Amendment protections of any state of the country,” Abbott told The Dallas Express. “We went from campus carry to open carry to constitutional carry. Every Texan has a right to be able to possess a gun, period,” Abbott explained.”