Greg Abbott

Greg Abbott is an American politician and attorney serving as the 48th Governor of Texas since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 50th Attorney General of Texas from 2002 to 2015. His tenure has been defined by a staunchly conservative agenda, focusing on issues such as border security, economic deregulation, and social policies aligned with the Republican Party of Texas. Abbott is also notable for being the first governor of Texas to use a wheelchair, following a life-altering accident in 1984.

Early life and education

Gregory Wayne Abbott was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, and was raised in Duncanville, Texas. After graduating from Duncanville High School, he attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance. He remained at the University of Texas School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor degree. During his time in Austin, Abbott developed an interest in conservatism and the Federalist Society. A tragic accident in 1984, when a falling tree struck him while jogging in Houston, left him paralyzed from the waist down and permanently using a wheelchair.

Legal and political career

Abbott began his legal career as a private practice attorney in Houston before becoming a state trial judge in the Harris County district courts. In 1995, he was appointed by then-Governor George W. Bush to the Texas Supreme Court, where he served as an associate justice and later was elected to a full term. His judicial philosophy was often aligned with textualism and judicial restraint. In 2002, he was elected Attorney General of Texas, succeeding John Cornyn. During his twelve-year tenure, he frequently challenged the administration of President Barack Obama in court, filing numerous lawsuits against federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over regulations including the Affordable Care Act.

Governorship of Texas

Elected in 2014 and succeeding Rick Perry, Abbott was inaugurated as governor in January 2015. He has since been re-elected in 2018 and 2022. His administration has prioritized a robust state economy, signing into law significant tax cuts and deregulation bills passed by the Texas Legislature. A central pillar of his governorship has been the border security initiative Operation Lone Star, which deployed thousands of Texas National Guard troops and Texas Department of Public Safety officers. He has also presided over major state responses to crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas, the 2021 Texas power crisis, and the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. His use of executive authority, such as issuing executive orders on mask mandates and business closures, has been both praised and contested.

Political positions and public policy

Abbott is a prominent conservative voice on the national stage. He is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and has signed legislation like constitutional carry into law. On social issues, he has signed some of the nation's most restrictive abortion laws, including the Texas Heartbeat Act, and has supported measures affecting LGBTQ rights, such as the 2023 law restricting gender-affirming care for minors. His administration has clashed with the Biden administration over immigration enforcement, leading to legal battles over Title 42 and the placement of concertina wire along the Rio Grande. On education, he has championed school choice initiatives and signed laws regulating the teaching of critical race theory in public schools.

Personal life

Abbott married former schoolteacher and first lady of Texas Cecilia Phalen in 1981; the couple has one adopted daughter, Audrey. He is a Roman Catholic and a resident of the Texas Governor's Mansion in Austin. An avid sports fan, he is frequently seen at games for the University of Texas Longhorns and the Dallas Cowboys. His autobiography, *Broken But Unbowed*, details his personal journey following his paralysis. Abbott's disability rights advocacy has included work on improving accessibility in public buildings across Texas.

Category:Governors of Texas Category:Texas Republicans Category:Attorneys general of Texas