Greg Abbott election results: Running for Texas governor 2025,100% tariff

Greg Abbott has been one of the most influential and enduring figures in Texas politics for more than a decade. Serving as governor since 2015, Abbott has built his reputation through a mix of conservative policymaking, assertive leadership, and skillful political strategy. As the next gubernatorial election approaches, his past election results, political positioning, and campaign style offer crucial insights into both his continued dominance and the evolving political landscape of Texas.

This article explores Greg Abbott’s electoral history, his policy achievements, the shifting dynamics of Texas politics, and what to expect as the 2026 election draws near.

A Brief Political Profile

Greg Abbott, a lifelong Republican, was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1957. After earning his law degree from Vanderbilt University, he launched a legal and political career that would eventually make him one of Texas’s most recognizable leaders. Before becoming governor, Abbott served as a justice on the Texas Supreme Court and later as Texas Attorney General for over a decade.

Abbott’s tenure as governor has been marked by a strong conservative agenda emphasizing border security, economic growth, personal freedom, and states’ rights. His leadership style—decisive, unapologetic, and deeply rooted in Texas identity—has kept him at the forefront of both state and national political conversations.

Election Results Overview

2014: The First Victory

Greg Abbott first ran for governor in 2014, succeeding Rick Perry, who chose not to seek re-election. Running against Democrat Wendy Davis, Abbott secured a decisive win, capturing nearly 60 percent of the vote. His campaign focused on economic opportunity, limited government, and education reform—messages that resonated strongly with Texas’s Republican-leaning electorate.

Abbott’s first victory established him as a political heavyweight, showing his ability to unify conservatives across the state’s rural, suburban, and urban areas.

2018: Re-Election with a Comfortable Margin

In 2018, Abbott ran for re-election against Democrat Lupe Valdez, the former Dallas County Sheriff. He won again, this time with around 56 percent of the vote. Although his margin was slightly smaller than in 2014, it reaffirmed his broad support across Texas.

This race demonstrated Abbott’s growing national profile. Despite a more energized Democratic base during the 2018 midterm elections, Abbott maintained his dominance through massive fundraising, an extensive campaign network, and continued emphasis on conservative principles.

2022: A Closer but Clear Victory

Abbott faced his toughest challenge in the 2022 election against Democrat Beto O’Rourke, a former congressman and high-profile candidate who had gained national attention from his Senate and presidential runs.

Abbott ultimately defeated O’Rourke by just under 11 points—still a strong win, but narrower than in previous races. The 2022 results reflected subtle shifts in Texas’s political landscape: suburban areas became more competitive, younger and more diverse voters grew in influence, and Democrats made modest gains in urban centers.

However, Abbott’s campaign successfully leveraged concerns about crime, border security, and inflation. His ability to connect local issues with national conservative themes solidified his standing as a reliable Republican leader in a changing state.

Patterns and Political Shifts

A review of Abbott’s election history reveals consistent success but also gradual narrowing of margins. Several factors explain this trend:

1. Demographic Change
   Texas’s population is rapidly diversifying, with significant growth in Hispanic, Asian, and younger voter groups. Many of these voters live in metropolitan regions such as Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin, where Democrats have made steady gains.

2. Suburban Shifts
   Suburban counties that once gave Republicans overwhelming victories have become more competitive. In many areas, Abbott’s margins dropped between 2018 and 2022, indicating that moderate voters are increasingly open to alternatives, especially on issues like abortion, education, and healthcare.

3. Polarization and Mobilization
   While Texas remains solidly Republican statewide, elections have become more polarized. Abbott’s campaigns have been highly effective at energizing conservative voters, but Democrats are also mobilizing large turnouts in cities and college-heavy regions