Texas is big. Its politics? Even bigger. At the center of it all sits Greg Abbott, the 48th Governor of Texas. Whether you see him as a champion of conservative values or a lightning rod for controversy, there's no denying his massive influence on the American political landscape.
Born in Wichita Falls back in 1957, Gregory Wayne Abbott didn't start out in a wheelchair. He was a track star in high school, a guy known for being relentless. He went to the University of Texas at Austin for finance and then headed to Vanderbilt for law. But in July 1984, everything changed.
Imagine this: You're 26. You just finished law school. You're out for a jog to clear your head while studying for the bar exam. Suddenly, a massive oak tree—weakened by a storm—cracks and falls directly on your back.
It severed his spine. Paralyzed him instantly.
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Doctors put two steel rods in his back. He’s said before that while the accident broke his back, it didn't break his spirit. Honestly, that moment is basically the foundation of the "spine of steel" persona his supporters love today. He successfully sued the homeowner and the tree company, a settlement that provided him with a steady income for decades, which is a detail critics often point to when discussing his stance on tort reform later in his career.
The Long Road to the Governor's Mansion
Abbott didn't let the injury slow his career down. He went into private practice, but the bench was calling. By 1992, he was a trial judge. Then, George W. Bush—yeah, that Bush—appointed him to the Texas Supreme Court in 1996. He won election to that seat twice, but he had bigger fish to fry.
In 2002, he became the 50th Attorney General of Texas.
He stayed there for 12 years. Twelve. That makes him the longest-serving AG in the state's history. During that time, he built a reputation for one thing above all else: suing the federal government.
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He once famously described his typical workday like this: "I go into the office, I sue the federal government, and I go home." He filed more than 30 lawsuits against the Obama administration alone, fighting over everything from environmental regulations to the Affordable Care Act and immigration.
He also fought hard for religious displays on public land. Remember the Ten Commandments monument at the Texas State Capitol? Abbott took that fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in Van Orden v. Perry and won a 5-4 victory. Justice John Paul Stevens even complimented his oral argument, noting that Abbott proved you don't need to stand at a lectern to do a "fine job."
Governing the Lone Star State
When Rick Perry decided not to run again in 2014, Abbott was the natural successor. He crushed his Democratic opponent, Wendy Davis, and took office in early 2015. Since then, he’s been re-elected twice (2018 and 2022), consistently beating big-name Democrats like Beto O’Rourke.
Abbott’s tenure has been defined by a hard right turn in Texas policy. He’s leaned into the "culture wars," focusing on things that drive his base.
The Border and Operation Lone Star
This is probably his most famous—and expensive—initiative. In 2021, he launched Operation Lone Star, deploying the Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety to the border. He’s spent billions of state taxpayer dollars building barriers and, most notably, busing migrants to "sanctuary cities" like New York, Chicago, and D.C. He says it’s because the federal government isn’t doing its job; critics call it a cruel political stunt.
Abortion and Social Policy
Texas now has some of the strictest abortion laws in the country. In 2021, Abbott signed the "Heartbeat Act," which effectively banned abortion after six weeks and used a unique "bounty" system allowing private citizens to sue anyone who helped someone get an abortion. After Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, a "trigger law" went into effect, making almost all abortions in Texas illegal.
The Power Grid and Uvalde
It hasn't all been smooth sailing. In February 2021, a massive winter storm crippled the Texas power grid, leaving millions in the dark and cold. Hundreds died. Abbott faced massive heat for the grid's failure, though he later signed legislation aimed at "weatherizing" the system.
Then came the Uvalde school shooting in May 2022. It was one of the deadliest in U.S. history. While there were massive calls for stricter gun laws, Abbott stood firm on the Second Amendment, instead focusing on mental health and school security. He actually signed "constitutional carry" into law in 2021, which lets most Texans carry a handgun in public without a permit.
What’s Happening Now in 2026?
As of January 2026, Greg Abbott isn't slowing down. He’s officially launched his bid for a fourth term. If he wins, he’ll become the longest-serving governor in Texas history, passing his predecessor Rick Perry.
His current priorities?
- Property Tax Relief: He’s obsessed with cutting property taxes, wanting to "drive a stake through the heart" of local tax hikes.
- School Choice: He’s pushing hard for "Education Freedom Accounts" (vouchers), wanting state money to follow students to private schools. This has been a huge fight even within his own party.
- The Grid 2.0: He’s allocated $10 billion to further build out the energy grid to keep up with the state’s massive population growth.
Texas is the 8th or 9th largest economy in the world on its own. That gives Abbott a massive platform. He’s consistently mentioned in the mix for national office, though he seems focused on keeping Texas, well, Texas.
Actionable Insights for Following Texas Politics
If you're trying to keep tabs on what Abbott does next, don't just look at the headlines.
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- Watch the Special Sessions: Abbott loves calling special sessions when the legislature doesn't pass what he wants. It’s a power move he uses more than almost any other governor.
- Follow the Money: Texas has no term limits and no limits on how much individuals can donate to a governor's campaign. Abbott’s "war chest" is usually in the tens of millions, which is why he’s so hard to beat.
- Check the Primary Results: In Texas, the real fight is often in the Republican primary, not the general election. Watch who Abbott endorses—and who he campaigns against—to see where the state's GOP is heading.
- Monitor the Courts: Because Abbott spent so much time as AG, he knows the legal system inside and out. Watch how Texas challenges federal mandates; these cases often end up at the Supreme Court and change law for the whole country.
Whether you agree with his politics or not, Greg Abbott has fundamentally reshaped Texas over the last decade. He’s moved the state further to the right while presiding over a massive economic and population boom. For now, the "Governor for Life" talk in Austin doesn't seem that far-fetched.