Abbott Seeks Fourth Term as Texas Governor
The Republican governor is running for re-election in the 2026 midterms, facing Democrat Gina Hinojosa in polling.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, is seeking a fourth term in the 2026 midterm elections. A September New York Times-Siena poll shows Democrat Gina Hinojosa ahead of Abbott.
Why it matters
The race puts a long-serving Texas governor in a contest where recent polling shows his challenger leading, a notable development for a state Republicans have long controlled. The outcome will shape state policy on energy, data centers and public security for Texas residents.
A September New York Times-Siena poll shows Democrat Gina Hinojosa ahead of Governor Greg Abbott, who is seeking a fourth term. The poll's margin of error and the size of the lead were not included in the available details.
The players
Greg Abbott
Greg Abbott is the Republican governor of Texas, previously served as Texas attorney general and as a Texas Supreme Court justice, and is seeking a fourth term.
Gina Hinojosa
Gina Hinojosa is the Democratic candidate challenging Governor Greg Abbott in the Texas governor's race.
The details
Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas, is running for re-election in the 2026 midterms. Earlier this year he ordered a pause on new state-issued data-center permits pending an audit of their impact on electricity demand, water and tax incentives.
Timeline
February 2026: After U.S. military action against Iran, Abbott declared Texas' backing for President Donald Trump and ordered increased security around energy facilities, ports and the southern border.
September 2026: A New York Times-Siena poll showed Democrat Gina Hinojosa ahead of Abbott.
November 3, 2026: Midterm elections, in which Abbott is running for re-election.
Political Context
Abbott took charge of Texas in 2015 and has held the governorship since, making a fourth term a continuation of a long-running Republican hold on the office. Polling showing his Democratic challenger ahead marks a contest that departs from that established pattern.
Texas voters will decide in the November 3, 2026 midterms whether Abbott continues as governor for a fourth term. The choice will affect state decisions on energy, data-center permitting and border security.
The takeaway
Texas voters face a contest that polling suggests is more competitive than the state's recent history, and the outcome will determine who directs state policy on energy and security for the next term.
Further reading
For broader context on how Texas races are shaping up, see Elections coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hindustan Times.
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