Who’s running for Texas Governor in 2026?
The 2026 Texas gubernatorial election will determine who leads the nation’s second most populous state. As voters prepare for this high-profile contest, both major parties and independent candidates are competing for the governorship. Texas has historically leaned Republican, with incumbent Governor Greg Abbott seeking another term. This article provides factual information about the candidates, election process, and issues shaping the 2026 Texas governor’s race.
2026 Texas Governor Election: Who is Running?
Texas voters will elect their next governor in 2026. The office of Governor oversees the executive branch in Texas, one of the largest and most demographically diverse states in the U.S. The incumbent, Greg Abbott (Republican), is running for re-election and faces challenges in the primaries. Texas is considered a ‘Solid Republican’ state by multiple national political observers, reflecting the GOP’s sustained control of statewide offices. Texas’s population exceeds 29 million, with a significant Hispanic or Latino community, and the political landscape includes strong Democratic bases in urban centers. The state’s median income trails the national average, with a diverse economy and ongoing debates about public services and taxes.
Candidates in the 2026 Texas Governor Election
Several candidates from the Democratic, Republican, and independent fields have declared or are rumored for the 2026 Texas gubernatorial election. Democratic candidates include Bobby Cole, a rancher; Gina Hinojosa, a state representative from the 49th district since 2017, who has received endorsements according to the provided summary from Colin Allred, Greg Casar, Jasmine Crockett, Lloyd Doggett, Veronica Escobar, Sylvia Garcia, Vicente Gonzalez, Julie Johnson, James Talarico, and Ben Flores; Nick Pappas; Meagan Tehseldar; Chris Bell, a former U.S. representative and 2006 gubernatorial nominee, former Senate candidate, and former Houston mayoral candidate; and Andrew White, an entrepreneur, son of former Governor Mark White, and 2018 gubernatorial candidate. On the Republican side, incumbent Governor Greg Abbott is seeking re-election, having served as governor since 2015; Abbott’s campaign notes an endorsement from Donald Trump. Other Republican candidates include Pete Chambers, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Special Forces; Ronnie Tullos; and Mark Goloby, a businessman and conservative activist. Among independents, Matthew McConaughey, Academy Award-winning actor, is a rumored candidate but has not officially declared his candidacy. All listed candidate records are taken directly from provided input fields, reflecting the latest official or reported candidate status.
2026 Texas Gubernatorial Election Details
The 2026 Texas gubernatorial election process begins with primary elections for both major parties on March 3, 2026. If necessary, a primary runoff will be held on May 26, 2026. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. The deadline for candidate filings is December 8, 2025. Texas utilizes traditional party primaries, followed by a general election in which the winners of each primary—and any approved independent candidates—compete for the governorship. This process reflects Texas’s established method for choosing statewide officers. The 2026 governor’s race will take place alongside other statewide and federal contests, with voters across Texas eligible to participate in both the primary and general elections. No changes to the election structure or voting process were described in the available sources.
Polling and Race Outlook for the 2026 Texas Governor Election
Polling from late August 2025 indicates a generic Republican candidate leads a generic Democratic candidate by 49% to 43%, with 8% favoring others. Major political analysis organizations, including The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball, rate the 2026 Texas governor’s race as ‘Solid Republican’ or ‘Safe Republican.’ These ratings reflect Texas’s recent statewide election history and the incumbent’s well-established position. As of mid to late 2025, no published polling places a Democrat or independent candidate within striking distance of the lead. The race remains a focus for both parties due to Texas’s size and political influence, but currently available data describes a clear Republican advantage based on broad state-level trends and historical results.
Key Issues in the 2026 Texas Governor’s Race
Several legislative and ballot issues are shaping the context of the 2026 governor’s election in Texas. Among the key topics are property tax cuts for homeowners and businesses, the prohibition of capital gains tax, and bail reform proposals involving denial of bail in certain felony cases. Further issues include funding for water infrastructure and dementia research, tax exemptions affecting businesses and veterans’ spouses, bans on inheritance and securities transaction taxes, and changes to school tax policy for elderly, disabled, and all homeowners. Additional priorities on the statewide agenda involve the codification of parental rights in the Texas constitution, clarification of citizenship for voting, inventory or equipment-related tax exemptions for businesses, temporary property tax relief for those affected by fire, and reforms to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. These issues reflect recent constitutional amendments and ongoing legislative debates referenced in official summaries.
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https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_gubernatorial_election,_2026
https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/22/texas-statewide-propositions-november-ballot-election/
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Jon Sutton
An expert in management, strategy, and field organizing, Jon has been a frequent commentator in national publications.
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