William Dalrymple (historian)

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 an unprecedented fourth term.^[1] 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 years of his predecessor, Rick Perry. He would also tie with former South Dakota governor Bill Janklow as the fifth longest-serving governor in United States history at 5,845 days served.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Greg Abbott, incumbent governor (2015–present)^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Potential

Joaquin Castro, U.S. representative from Texas's 20th congressional district (2013–present)^[2]

Declined

Veronica Escobar, U.S. representative from Texas's 16th congressional district (2019–present) (running for re-election)^[2]
Clay Jenkins, Dallas County Judge^[a] (2011–present)^[3]

Independents

Candidates

Declined

Matthew McConaughey, Academy Award-winning actor^[4]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[5]	Solid R	January 23, 2025
Inside Elections^[6]	Solid R	February 6, 2025

Notes

^ County executive

References

^ ^a ^b Watkins, Matthew (March 1, 2024). "Donald Trump says Greg Abbott is 'absolutely' on vice president short list". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Solender, Andrew (April 10, 2025). "A growing wave of House members is grasping for higher office". Axios. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
^ Jeffers, Gromer Jr. (April 7, 2025). "Texas Democrats are searching for 2026 candidates as they resist President Donald Trump". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
^ Jones, Cristela (November 18, 2024). "Matthew McConaughey says he won't be running for Texas governor". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.

[3] County executive

[absolutely-1] Watkins, Matthew (March 1, 2024). "Donald Trump says Greg Abbott is 'absolutely' on vice president short list". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 9, 2024.

[Grasp-2] Solender, Andrew (April 10, 2025). "A growing wave of House members is grasping for higher office". Axios. Retrieved April 10, 2025.

[4] Jeffers, Gromer Jr. (April 7, 2025). "Texas Democrats are searching for 2026 candidates as they resist President Donald Trump". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved April 7, 2025.

[5] Jones, Cristela (November 18, 2024). "Matthew McConaughey says he won't be running for Texas governor". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved November 29, 2024.

[6] "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.

[7] "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.

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William Dalrymple (historian)

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Democratic primary

Candidates

Potential

Declined

Independents

Candidates

Declined

General election

Predictions

See also

Notes

References

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