{"id":217163,"date":"2026-01-21T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/?p=217163"},"modified":"2026-01-21T05:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T11:00:00","slug":"2026-texas-governor-primary-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2026\/01\/21\/2026-texas-governor-primary-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas governor primary: Who is running and what to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Editor\u2019s note:<\/b> 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 with political experience or demonstrably competitive campaigns, using benchmarks such as fundraising,endorsements and online presence. For a full list of candidates, view our primary\u00a0ballot page<\/a>. For more information on the primaries and the voting process, check out our guides and news coverage\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About this seat: <\/b>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\n\n\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\n\n\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\n\n\n

What\u2019s at stake:<\/b> 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\n\n\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\n\n\n

Candidates at a glance:<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Greg Abbott<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Republican, incumbent<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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