The 2026 Texas gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican governor Greg Abbott is running for re-election to a fourth term. If Abbott were to be successful and finish out a fourth full term, he would become the state's longest-serving governor with 16 years on January 21, 2031, surpassing the 14 year tenure of his predecessor, Rick Perry. He would also tie with Jerry Brown of California and Bill Janklow of South Dakota as the fourth longest-serving governor in United States history at 5,845 days served.
Party primaries were held on March 3, 2026. The filing deadline for candidates was December 8, 2025.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- R.F. "Bob" Achgill, literary researcher and candidate for Bryan City Council in 2024
- Evelyn Brooks, member of the Texas State Board of Education from the 14th district (2023âÂÂpresent)
- Pete "Doc" Chambers, former Lieutenant Colonel in U.S. Army Special Forces
- Charles Andrew Crouch, author
- Arturo Espinosa, candidate in 2025 San Antonio mayoral election
- Mark V. Goloby, businessman and conservative activist
- Kenneth Hyde, contractor
- Stephen Samuelson, veteran
- Ronnie Tullos, project manager
- Nathaniel Welch, businessman
Endorsements
Polling
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Patricia Abrego
- Chris Bell, former U.S. representative for Texas's 25th congressional district (2003âÂÂ2005), nominee for governor in 2006, candidate for mayor of Houston in 2001 and 2015, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020
- Bobby Cole, rancher
- Carlton Hart, event manager
- Jose Navarro Balbuena, tax strategist
- Faizan Syed, manager
- Zach Vance, veteran
- Angela Villescaz, education and gun safety advocate
Withdrawn
Declined
- Jasmine Crockett, U.S. representative from Texas's 30th congressional district (2023âÂÂpresent) (running for U.S. Senate, endorsed Hinojosa)
- Veronica Escobar, U.S. representative from Texas's 16th congressional district (2019âÂÂpresent) (running for re-election, endorsed Hinojosa)
- Clay Jenkins, Dallas County Judge (2011âÂÂpresent)
- Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. representative from (2013âÂÂ2019), nominee for governor in 2022, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018, and candidate for president in 2020
- Ron Nirenberg, former mayor of San Antonio (2017âÂÂ2025) (running for Bexar County Judge)
Endorsements
Polling
Results
Third-party and independent candidates
Candidates
Declared
Declined
General election
Predictions
Polling
Greg Abbott vs. Chris Bell
Generic Republican vs. generic Democrat
See also
Notes
Partisan clients<br />
References
External links
Official campaign websites