Governor
StatewideAbbott won the GOP primary with 81.8% over a crowded field. Gina Hinojosa won the Democratic field with 58.5%, setting up the general election matchup.
Incumbent: Greg Abbott(R)
Chief executive of Texas, signs or vetoes legislation, appoints agency heads, commands the National Guard.
Primary Results
Winner.Greg Abbott(i)
Winner.Gina Hinojosa
Chris Bell
Bobby ColePolls vs. Results
Democratic Primary
| Candidate | Party | Poll prediction (%) | Actual result (%) | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gina Hinojosa | Democratic | 59% | 58.5% | -0.5 | Winner |
| Chris Bell | Democratic | 25% | 9.8% | -15.2 | |
| Angela "Tiaangie" Villescaz | Democratic | No poll data | 6.8% | N/A | |
| Patricia Abrego | Democratic | No poll data | 5.8% | N/A | |
| Andrew White | Democratic | No poll data | 5.3% | N/A | |
| Bobby Cole | Democratic | 9% | 5.1% | -3.9 | |
| Jose Navarro Balbuena | Democratic | No poll data | 3.0% | N/A | |
| Carlton W. Hart | Democratic | No poll data | 2.9% | N/A | |
| Zach Vance | Democratic | No poll data | 2.7% | N/A |
November General Election
Nov 3, 2026Cook Political Report rates the race Solid Republican. Greg Abbott, governor since 2015, is seeking a fourth term against Democratic state representative Gina Hinojosa of Austin. Abbott won his 2022 reelection over Beto O'Rourke by about 11 points, and no Democrat has won the governorship since Ann Richards in 1990. The rating is the handicapper's assessment, not a TexPolls forecast.
Republican Primary
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Democratic Primary
State Representative, HD-49
Retired firefighter and cattleman
Former U.S. Representative
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Governor
Dem Primary
| Candidate | Support |
|---|---|
| Gina Hinojosa | 59% |
| Chris Bell | 25% |
| Bobby Cole | 9% |
General Election Polling
| Candidate | Support |
|---|---|
| Greg Abbott | 47% |
| Gina Hinojosa | 40% |
| Undecided | 13% |
Democratic Primary · Poll Movement
Feb → Feb
| Candidate | Feb | Feb | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gina Hinojosa | 76% | 59% | -17 |
| Chris Bell | 4% | 25% | +21 |
| Bobby Cole | 6% | 9% | +3 |
Campaign Finance
FEC filings through 2026-07-19Cash on hand includes $30M+ in T-bills and $40M+ in investment returns from campaign funds
| Candidate | Party | Total Raised | Total Spent | Cash on Hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Abbott | Republican | $42,000,000 | Not available | $105,000,000 |
Prediction Markets
Market-implied probability of winning, based on contract prices.
Republican Primary
Market closedResolved winner: Greg Abbott
Abbott won with 81.76%. Market resolved. No runoff
General Election
Nov 3, 2026First tracked reading for this market: 90c for Abbott as of Jul 19.
Contract prices, not a TexPolls forecast. Resolves November 2026. Thin market relative to the Senate race, and prices come from each party's own market, so they do not sum to exactly 100. Kalshi also lists a Texas governor market, but it has not traded since May 11 and is excluded.
| Party | Candidate | Source | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Greg Abbott | Polymarket | 100% |
Frequently Asked
Who is running for Governor of Texas in 2026?
Republican incumbent Greg Abbott, governor since 2015, faces Democratic state representative Gina Hinojosa of Austin in the November 3, 2026 general election.
When is the 2026 Texas Governor election?
The general election is November 3, 2026. The voter registration deadline is October 5, and early voting runs October 19 to 30.
Is the 2026 Texas Governor race competitive?
This page rates the race Safe Republican. Texas has not elected a Democratic governor since Ann Richards in 1990. Recent 2026 polls have shown Abbott ahead by five to seven points; the surveys are listed in the polling table on this page.
What has Gina Hinojosa proposed in the governor's race?
In July 2026, Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee, proposed sending every Texas household a $1,500 check from the state's Rainy Day Fund, which held a record $24.8 billion as of November 2025. She calls it a "corruption tax refund" and her campaign puts the cost at about $17 billion. Tapping the fund for a purpose like this requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature, which Republicans control, so the proposal is a campaign position without a clear path to passage.
Key Dates
Also on the November ballot
Paxton vs. Talarico for U.S. SenateOther statewide races
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