2026 Texas gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Texas gubernatorial election

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Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Governor Greg Abbott Republican

The 2026 Texas gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott declared his intention to run for election to an unprecedented fourth term on November 9, 2025. ^[1] If Abbott were to be successful and finish out a fourth full term, he would become the state's longest-serving governor with 16 years on January 21, 2031, surpassing the 14 years of his predecessor, Rick Perry. He would also tie with former South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow as the fifth longest-serving governor in United States history at 5,845 days served.

Party primaries are scheduled on March 3, 2026, and potential primary runoffs where no candidate receives over 50% in a primary would be on May 26, 2026. The filing deadline was December 8, 2025.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Greg Abbott, incumbent governor (2015–present) ^[2]
• Bob Achgill, literary researcher and candidate for Bryan City Council in 2024 ^[2]
• Evelyn Brooks, member of the Texas State Board of Education from the 14th district (2023–present) ^[2]
• Pete Chambers, former Lieutenant Colonel in U.S. Army Special Forces ^[3]
• Charles Andrew Crouch, author ^[2]
• Arturo Espinosa, candidate in 2025 San Antonio mayoral election ^{[2] [4]}
• Mark Goloby, businessman and conservative activist ^[5]
• Kenneth Hyde, contractor ^[2]
• Stephen Samuelson, veteran ^{[2] [6]}
• Ronnie Tullos, project manager ^[2]
• Nathaniel Welch, businessman ^{[2] [6]}

Endorsements

Greg Abbott

Executive branch officials

• Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present) ^[7]

Organizations

• Texas Alliance for Life ^[8]
• Young Conservatives of Texas ^[9]

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Greg Abbott (incumbent)
	Republican	R.F. "Bob" Achgill
	Republican	Evelyn Brooks
	Republican	Pete "Doc" Chambers
	Republican	Charles Andrew Crouch
	Republican	Arturo Espinosa
	Republican	Mark V. Goloby
	Republican	Kenneth Hyde
	Republican	Stephen Samuelson
	Republican	Ronnie Tullos
	Republican	Nathaniel Welch
Total votes				100.00

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Patricia Abrego ^[2]
• Chris Bell, former U.S. representative for Texas's 25th congressional district (2003–2005), nominee for governor in 2006, candidate for mayor of Houston in 2001 and 2015, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 ^[10]
• Bobby Cole, rancher ^[11]
• Carlton Hart, event manager ^{[2] [6]}
• Gina Hinojosa, state representative from the 49th district (2017–present) ^[12]
• Jose Navarro Balbuena, tax strategist ^[2]
• Faizan Syed, manager ^[2]
• Zach Vance, veteran ^{[2] [6]}
• Angela Villescaz, education and gun safety advocate ^{[2] [6]}
• Andrew White, son of former governor Mark White, and candidate for governor in 2018 ^[13]

Withdrawn

• Ben Flores, Bay City councilor (running for Texas Land Commissioner, endorsed Hinojosa) ^[14]
• Nick Pappas, marine veteran (running for Denton County Judge) ^{[15] [16]}

Declined

• Jasmine Crockett, U.S. representative from Texas's 30th congressional district (2023–present) (running for U.S. Senate, endorsed Hinojosa) ^{[17] [18]}
• Veronica Escobar, U.S. representative from Texas's 16th congressional district (2019–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Hinojosa) ^{[19] [18]}
• Clay Jenkins, Dallas County Judge ^[a] (2011–present) ^[20]
• Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. representative from Texas's 16th congressional district (2013–2019), nominee for governor in 2022, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018, and candidate for president in 2020 ^[21]
• Ron Nirenberg, former mayor of San Antonio (2017–2025) (running for Bexar County Judge) ^[22]

Endorsements

Gina Hinojosa

U.S. representatives

• Greg Casar, TX-35 (2023–present) ^[18]
• Jasmine Crockett, TX-30 (2023–present) ^[18]
• Lloyd Doggett, TX-37 (1995–present) ^[18]
• Veronica Escobar, TX-16 (2019–present) ^[18]
• Sylvia Garcia, TX-29 (2019–present) ^[18]
• Vicente Gonzalez, TX-34 (2017–present) ^[18]
• Julie Johnson, TX-32 (2025–present) ^[18]
• Colin Allred, former TX-32 (2019–2025) ^[18]

State legislators

• James Talarico, state representative from the 50th district (2018–present) ^[23]

Labor unions

• Texas American Federation of Teachers ^[24]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Chris Bell	Bobby Cole	Gina Hinojosa	Jose Navarro	Angela Villescaz	Andrew White	Other	Undecided
Texas Southern University [25]	December 9–11, 2025	1,600 (LV)	± 2.45%	5%	3%	41%	1%	1%	6%	1%	42%

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Patricia Abrego
	Democratic	Chris Bell
	Democratic	Bobby Cole
	Democratic	Carlton W. Hart
	Democratic	Gina Hinojosa
	Democratic	Jose Navarro Balbuena
	Democratic	Faizan Syed
	Democratic	Zach Vance
	Democratic	Angela "Tia Angie" Villescaz
	Democratic	Andrew White
Total votes				100.00

Independents

Candidates

• Jenn Mack Raphoon ^[26]

Declined

• Matthew McConaughey, Academy Award-winning actor ^{[27] [28]}

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [29]	Solid R	September 11, 2025
Inside Elections [30]	Solid R	August 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [31]	Safe R	September 4, 2025
Race to the WH [32]	Likely R	December 12, 2025

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Generic Republican vs. generic Democrat

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Generic Republican	Generic Democrat	Other	Undecided
Texas Public Opinion Research [33]	August 27–29, 2025	843 (RV)	± 4.6%	49%	43%	8% [c]	–

See also

• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Notes

1. County executive
2. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
3. "Someone else" with 8%

References

1. Gou, Kayla (November 9, 2025). "Gov. Greg Abbott launches reelection campaign for fourth term". The Texas Tribune . Retrieved November 9, 2025.
2. "Candidate Information". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
3. "From Greek Roots to the Texas Frontier: Pete Chambers Bold Run for Governor". Helleniscope. June 30, 2025. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
4. Taylor, Bill; Cerna, Ryan; Parker, Kolten (April 22, 2025). "SAN ANTONIO MAYOR'S RACE: Who is running for the city's top job in May 3 election". KSAT. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
5. "Mark Goloby Announces Campaign for Texas Governor". The Texas Tribune. July 10, 2025. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
6. "Texas Statewide — All Races". texascandidatetracker.com. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
7. Dey, Sneha (November 12, 2025). "Donald Trump endorses Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for reelection". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
8. "2026 Primary Election Endorsements". Texas Alliance for life. November 25, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
9. Darsch, Nathan (December 3, 2025). "Young Conservatives of Texas Endorses Governor Greg Abbott - Young Conservatives of TexasYoung Conservatives of Texas". Young Conservatives of Texas. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
10. Jeffers, Gromer (November 10, 2025). "Another Democrat joins the race for Texas governor in 2026". The Dallas Morning News .
11. Bugenhagen, Faith (June 24, 2025). "East Texas farmer launches 2026 bid to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott". Chron.com . Retrieved July 15, 2025.
12. Wermund, Benjamin (October 15, 2025). "Austin state Rep. Gina Hinojosa launches Democratic bid against Greg Abbott". Austin American-Statesman . Retrieved October 15, 2025.
13. Koithan, Stephanie (September 24, 2025). "Democrat Andrew White is running for Texas governor. Again". San Antonio Current. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
14. Van Hal, Kavan (October 17, 2025). "Flores exits governor race, launches bid for Texas Land Commissioner". Bay City Tribune . Retrieved October 21, 2025. Flores also announced his endorsement of State Representative Gina Hinojosa for governor.
15. Imran, Shehzil (November 1, 2025). "Democratic candidates answer questions at forum ahead of March 2026 election". NTDaily.com. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
16. "Today, I have officially filed for Denton County Judge in 2026!". Nick Pappas on Instagram. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
17. Wermund, Benjamin (September 18, 2025). "Why Texas Democrats aren't lining up to take on Greg Abbott in the midterms". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved September 22, 2025.
18. Nir, David (October 15, 2025). "Morning Digest: Arizona threatens to sue after House GOP refuses to seat Democrat" . Retrieved October 15, 2025.
19. Solender, Andrew (April 10, 2025). "A growing wave of House members is grasping for higher office". Axios . Retrieved April 10, 2025.
20. Jeffers, Gromer Jr. (April 7, 2025). "Texas Democrats are searching for 2026 candidates as they resist President Donald Trump". The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved April 7, 2025.
21. Washington, Zacharia (May 20, 2025). "Here are 5 key points from Beto O'Rourke's town hall in Garland". The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved May 20, 2025. When a young kid asked O'Rourke at the rally in Garland 'if he was going to face Texas Gov. Greg Abbott again,"' his answer, in short, was 'we'll see on the decision to run down the road.'
22. Moreno, Andrea; Marquez, RJ; Luna, Jarryd (November 15, 2025). "Former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg announces bid for Bexar County judge". KSAT. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
23. Molina, Daniel (October 21, 2025). "Collin Allred, James Talarico Endorse Gina Hinojosa for Governor". Texas Politics. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
24. "Texas AFT COPE Endorses Hinojosa for Governor, Garibay to Replace Her in Texas House". Texas American Federation of Teachers . December 12, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
25. Adams, Michael; Jones, Mark. "DECEMBER 2025 THE 2026 TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES: GOVERNOR & ATTORNEY GENERAL" (PDF). Texas Southern University . Retrieved December 18, 2025.
26. "Jenn Mack Raphoon Signs Texas First Pledge for Governor - Texian Partisan". November 3, 2025. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
27. Zelman, Kevin. "Matthew McConaughey wants to become the Governor of Texas one day". KFOX14. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
28. Marks, Madi (November 13, 2025). "Is Matthew McConaughey running for governor? Viral TikTok has fans dazed and confused". FOX 4. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
29. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
30. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
31. "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
32. "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
33. "Texas Senate Primaries Take Shape as Statewide Races Stay Close". Texas Public Opinion Research. September 12, 2025. Retrieved October 5, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Greg Abbott (R) for Governor
• Chris Bell (D) for Governor
• Evelyn Brooks (R) for Governor
• "Doc" Pete Chambers (R) for Governor
• Bobby Cole (D) for Governor
• Charles Crouch (R) for Governor
• Gina Hinojosa (D) for Governor
• Kenneth Hyde (R) for Governor
• Jenn Mack (I) for Governor
• Nick Pappas (D) for Governor
• Ronnie Tullos (R) for Governor
• Zach Vance (D) for Governor
• Andrew White (D) for Governor