{"id":131880,"date":"2026-01-21T13:10:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T13:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/131880\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T13:10:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T13:10:14","slug":"who-is-running-and-what-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/131880\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is running and what to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note: To help readers learn more about primary candidates, The Texas Tribune is sharing background information on top candidates. In particularly crowded races, we focused on candidates who have political experience or prominence. For a full list of the candidates running in this race view our primary ballot page<\/a>. For more information on the primaries and the voting process, check out our voter guide here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

About this seat: The governor is the chief executive of the state, whose responsibilities include implementing state laws, laying out biennial budget recommendations for the Legislature and leading the state and its military forces during emergencies. He handpicks the leadership of major state agencies like the Department of Public Safety, overseeing state law enforcement, and the Texas Education Agency, in charge of public schools.<\/p>\n

The governor has the power to veto bills passed by the Legislature and to issue executive orders and disaster declarations to unlock money and resources. The governor also has the sole authority to call special legislative sessions and to set the agenda for those overtime legislating periods, as Gov. Greg Abbott<\/a> did twice in 2025 to pursue mid-decade redistricting, flood response bills and other priorities.<\/p>\n

If an elected official, a judge or a justice resigns or dies, the governor is responsible for calling a special election or filling that vacancy. The governor can also make appointments to hundreds of government entities<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The person elected to this position will lead Texas, the world\u2019s 8th largest economy and currently the largest state led by Republicans, and serve as the state\u2019s primary liaison to the federal government. The governor has enormous power to direct the state legislative agenda, the budget and emergency responses.<\/p>\n

The governor also commands influence through appointments. The governor is empowered to nominate or appoint their preferred candidates to powerful positions throughout the state bureaucracy, including the secretary of state, who oversees elections; the commissioner of public education; the commissioner of higher education; members of the Public Utility Commission, which regulates the state\u2019s power grid and other utilities; and the boards of regents for four-year public universities. This means that the power and influence of a Texas governor can grow the longer they\u2019re in office. For example, Abbott, who\u2019s been governor for more than a decade, has appointed every single regent for every university board in Texas, giving him incredible sway over higher education policy.<\/p>\n

\"\" Campaign photo Greg Abbott <\/p>\n

Republican, incumbent <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Campaign finance: <\/p>\n

$105.7 million cash on hand <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Major donors this cycle: <\/p>\n

Janvaid Anwar, Midland oil executive \u2013 $1.9 million Kenneth Fisher, founder of Fisher Investments \u2013 $1.05 million Kelcy Warren, Energy Transfer CEO and University of Texas regent \u2013 $1 million Miriam Adelson, casino magnate \u2013 $1 million Texas Republican Leadership Fund, backed by Amarillo businessman Alex Fairly \u2013 $1 million <\/p>\n

Experience:<\/p>\n

48th governor of Texas, first elected in 2014 and now serving his third term<\/p>\n

Previously, Abbott was the longest-serving attorney general in state history. He also served on the Supreme Court of Texas and as a state district judge in Harris County.<\/p>\n

Political ideology: Earlier in his tenure, Abbott was more aligned with the party\u2019s pro-business establishment wing. As the Republican Party has moved right, Abbott has embraced more hardline, socially conservative causes and transformed into a partisan warrior closely aligned with President Donald Trump. Recent legislative election cycles have been characterized by Abbott\u2019s willingness to draw from his deep campaign coffers to support his preferred candidates and to oust Republican incumbents who disagreed in particular with his signature policy issue, school vouchers.<\/p>\n

Policy stances:<\/p>\n

Reducing property taxes, with proposals including abolishing school property taxes (the primary source of funding for Texas public schools); requiring two-thirds voter approval for any property tax increases; and lowering the appraisal<\/a> cap from 10% to 3%.<\/p>\n

Securing the southern border, including through Operation Lone Star, an $11 billion program to build a wall, install razor wire and buoys, seize trafficked drugs and arrest and deport unauthorized migrants.<\/p>\n

Stricter bail laws, including a constitutional amendment requiring judges to deny bail to some defendants accused of certain violent offenses.<\/p>\n

Private school vouchers, to which the Legislature dedicated $1 billion for two years.<\/p>\n

Growing the Texas economy, including by raising the business personal property tax exemption and establishing the Texas DOGE.<\/p>\n

In the news:<\/p>\n

Endorsements:<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump<\/p>\n

National Border Patrol Council<\/p>\n

Texas Municipal Police Association<\/p>\n

Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas<\/p>\n

How to contact or learn more:<\/p>\n

Info@GregAbbott.com<\/a>
Texans for Greg Abbott
P.O. Box 308
Austin, TX 78767<\/p>\n

\"\" Campaign photo Pete \u201cDoc\u201d Chambers <\/p>\n

Republican <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Campaign finance: <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Major donors this cycle: <\/p>\n

A. Austin, software developer: $30,000 Frederick Mueller, owner of Mueller Metals: $22,000 Case Chambers, oil & gas: $10,000 Cyrena Nolan, retired: $10,000 <\/p>\n

Experience:<\/p>\n

President of the Remnant Ministry TX<\/p>\n

Retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and Green Beret<\/p>\n

Primary care physician, including as a task force surgeon assigned to Operation Lone Star<\/p>\n

Political ideology: Chambers is challenging Gov. Greg Abbott<\/a> from the right, arguing that Abbott has presided over a decade of \u201call optics and no action\u201d on issues including property taxes and the border.<\/p>\n

Policy stances:<\/p>\n

Abolish property taxes<\/p>\n

Secure the southern border<\/p>\n

Secure energy and water infrastructure by increasing natural gas and desalination projects<\/p>\n

End private school vouchers<\/p>\n

Curb in-state hiring of H-1B visa recipients and foreign labor<\/p>\n

How to contact or learn more:<\/p>\n

info@docpetechambers.org<\/a>
13501 Ranch Road 12 Suite 103
Wimberley, TX 78676<\/p>\n

\"\" Campaign photo <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Campaign finance: <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Major donors this cycle: <\/p>\n

Hinojosa loaned herself $300,000 Suzanne Booth, philanthropist and winemaker: $25,000 Texas American Federation of Teachers\u2019 political fund: $10,000 <\/p>\n

Experience:<\/p>\n

Serving her fifth term in the Texas House of Representatives<\/p>\n

Previously served as president and an at-large member of the Austin Independent School District Board<\/p>\n

Civil rights and union lawyer at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Kator, Parks & Weiser in Austin; Catholic Charities, Office of Immigrant Concerns; Texas Rural Legal Aid; and the Equal Justice Center.<\/p>\n

Political ideology: Rice University political science fellow Mark Jones ranked<\/a> Hinojosa, who serves as vice chair of the Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus, as one of the most liberal members of the Texas House in every legislative session since she was elected. Her marquee issue was investing in public education, but she also worked on health care funding, corporate reform and public safety issues.<\/p>\n

Policy stances:<\/p>\n

Supports investing in school safety and increasing teacher pay.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Opposes private school vouchers.<\/p>\n

Rein in private equity in health care industry to lower costs and improve quality\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lowering costs by providing opportunities for small businesses and working Texans<\/p>\n

In the news:<\/p>\n

How to contact or learn more:<\/p>\n

info@ginafortexas.com<\/a>
Gina Hinojosa Campaign
P.O. Box 300095
Austin, TX 78703<\/p>\n

\"\" Campaign photo <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Campaign finance: <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Major donors this cycle: <\/p>\n

Mike Lowenberg, attorney at Lowenberg Law Firm: $25,000 Elis Zhonga, owner of Pipeline Equities LLC: $2,050 Gerardo Menchaca, immigration attorney: $1,000 <\/p>\n

Experience:<\/p>\n

Served one term in Congress before he was drawn out of his district in redistricting<\/p>\n

2006 Democratic nominee for Texas governor<\/p>\n

Former Houston City Councilmember<\/p>\n

Journalist turned lawyer<\/p>\n

Has run and lost races for governor, U.S. Senate, Texas House, Texas Senate and Houston mayor<\/p>\n

Political ideology: Bell describes himself as a \u201clifelong Democrat\u201d who focused on ethics and integrity while in government. During his 2020 run<\/a> for Senate, Bell backed Medicaid expansion, a ban on assault weapons and a mandatory assault weapon buyback program, and he emphasized the need to fight climate change.<\/p>\n

Policy stances:<\/p>\n

Boost public education, oppose private school vouchers<\/p>\n

Rein in insurance costs<\/p>\n

Improve state transportation by subjecting Texas Transportation Commissioners to strict conflict-of-interest rules, term limits and mandatory disclosure of cost-benefit analyses for major projects.<\/p>\n

In the news: Former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell joins Texas Democrats seeking to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott<\/a><\/p>\n

How to contact or learn more:<\/p>\n

Contact form<\/a>
Chris Bell for Texas
P.O. Box 2161
Houston, Texas
77252<\/p>\n

\"\" Campaign photo <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Campaign finance: <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb0 Major donors this cycle: <\/p>\n

Stephen Martin, not employed: $1,010 Cara East, not employed: $1,250 Mike Nichols, retired: $1,000 <\/p>\n

Experience: <\/p>\n

Cattle rancher and poultry producer<\/p>\n

retired firefighter<\/p>\n

Political ideology: Cole describes himself as a pro-worker Democrat with a \u201cno-nonsense approach\u201d to solving problems, and he emphasizes his rural roots.<\/p>\n

Policy stances:<\/p>\n

Raise the minimum wage<\/p>\n

Legalize marijuana<\/p>\n

Lower property taxes<\/p>\n

Expand Medicaid<\/p>\n

Restore in-state abortion access<\/p>\n

Increase public school funding and end private school vouchers<\/p>\n

How to contact or learn more:<\/p>\n

Contact Bobby Cole<\/a>
Cole 4 Texas
P.O. Box 1026
Quitman, TX 75783<\/p>\n

Disclosure: Energy Transfer and Rice University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune\u2019s journalism. Find a complete\u00a0list of them here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Editor\u2019s note: To help readers learn more about primary candidates, The Texas Tribune is sharing background information on…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":131881,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[56510,2671,815,288,392,287,1564,27,29,293,28,6748],"class_list":{"0":"post-131880","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-texas","8":"tag-2026-primary-explainer","9":"tag-congress","10":"tag-courts","11":"tag-elections","12":"tag-greg-abbott","13":"tag-politics","14":"tag-state-government","15":"tag-texas","16":"tag-texas-headlines","17":"tag-texas-legislature","18":"tag-texas-news","19":"tag-well-b-homepage"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131880","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131880"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131880\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/131881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131880"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131880"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131880"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}