Trinity Hewtty
Editor-In-Chief
Texas elects one governor statewide to serve as the state’s chief executive. The governor serves a four-year term and is responsible for overseeing the executive branch of the Texas government. Duties include signing or vetoing legislation passed by the Texas Legislature, proposing a state budget, appointing agency heads, board members and judges (subject to Senate confirmation) and serving as commander in chief of the Texas National Guard.
The governor also plays a central role in setting the state’s policy priorities, calling special legislative sessions, and representing Texas in negotiations with other states and the federal government.
To qualify for the office, a candidate must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Texas for at least five years before the election.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking re-election. There are 22 candidates in total running for this office. The Mesquite chose the strongest candidates based on polling data and campaign funding.
Here is an overview of the top two candidates on the ballot for the Texas Governor:
Greg Abbott (Republican incumbent)
Greg Abbott is a native of Houston and the Republican governor of Texas, first elected in 2014 and serving since 2015. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree and earned a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School.
Shortly after law school, Abbott was partially paralyzed in an accident involving a falling tree and has used a wheelchair since.
Before becoming governor, he served as the longest‑serving attorney general in Texas history, a justice on the Texas Supreme Court and a state district judge. As governor, Abbott has focused on conservative priorities aimed at strengthening the state’s economy, securing the southern border and promoting what he describes as Texas values.
Policy Stances:
- Advocates lower taxes, property tax reform and a business‑friendly environment to promote jobs and economic growth.
- Supports robust border security measures, including state‑led enforcement actions, increased funding for border operations and building barriers to counter illegal crossings and drug trafficking.
- Prioritizes defending Second Amendment rights and expanding “constitutional carry” policies for law‑abiding citizens.
- Backs restrictions on abortion and laws aimed at preventing distribution of abortion‑inducing drugs and limiting public support for abortion services.
- Promotes education initiatives that emphasize parental control, expanded classroom funding and workforce‑aligned training.
- Has supported public safety measures and legislative actions designed to strengthen law enforcement and address violent crime.
Gina Hinojosa (Democratic)
Gina Hinojosa grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and graduated from the University of Texas before earning a law degree from George Washington University. She began her career as a civil rights and union lawyer, advocating for families and workers, and won multiple cases on behalf of clients seeking better working conditions.
Hinojosa says her political career began when she rallied with other parents in her son’s school district to keep public schools open. She was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2019, where she has worked to reduce standardized testing and improve pay for teachers.
Policy Stances:
- Supports making healthcare more accessible for all Texans.
- Advocates lowering the cost of living by expanding opportunities for small businesses and the average worker.
- Seeks to provide every child a quality education by investing in school safety and teacher pay rather than prioritizing profits from private schooling.
- Has promoted environmental and climate‑related initiatives, including a climate plan and youth climate corps efforts.
