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Gregory Wayne Abbott (born November 13, 1957) is an American politician, attorney, and jurist serving as the 48th governor of Texas since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 50th attorney general of Texas from 2002 to 2015 and as a justice of the Texas Supreme Court from 1996 to 2001.
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Greg Abbott (born November 13, 1957, Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S.) American Republican politician who serves as governor of Texas (2015– ). He previously was the state’s attorney general (2002–15). A prominent figure in conservative politics, he notably opposes abortion and supports lenient gun laws and tough immigration policies.
Abbott is the younger of two sons born to Doris and Calvin Abbott. The family moved several times before settling in Duncanville, Texas. A serious runner, Greg Abbott was a member of the track team during high school, and he became known for his tenacity. When he was 16 years old, his father died from a heart attack. His mother became a real estate...
Abbott subsequently began working at a law firm in Houston. Shortly thereafter, in July 1984, he was seriously injured by a falling tree while jogging. The accident left him paralyzed below the waist and confined to a wheelchair. A practicing Roman Catholic, Abbott cited his faith for helping him endure a lengthy recovery. He later stated that the “accident broke my back, but not my spirit.”
Abbott eventually returned to work and later left the firm in 1992 to become a state trial judge. Four years later he was appointed to a vacant seat on the Texas Supreme Court by Gov. George W. Bush. Abbott was subsequently elected to the post twice. In 2001 he stepped down to run for lieutenant governor but soon dropped that bid in order to enter the race for Texas attorney general. He won the election in 2002 and took office that year.
In 2013 Abbott entered the gubernatorial race, looking to succeed Rick Perry. During his campaign, Abbott supported traditional conservative policies in the Republican-leaning state. He called for low taxes and budget cuts and continued to criticize Obama’s administration. He maintained a lead throughout, and in the general election he easily defeated his Democratic opponent, Wendy Davis, a state senator.
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After taking office in 2015, Abbott began to pursue an agenda that moved increasingly to the right. In 2017 he notably signed one of the most restrictive immigration bills passed by a state. Known to detractors as the “show me your papers” law, it authorizes law enforcement to check the immigration status of anyone they lawfully detain. The legislation also banned “sanctuary cities,” which shelter undocumented immigrants. To combat illegal crossings at the Texas-Mexico border, Abbott in 2021 announced a plan to construct a wall. Later that year some 900 feet (274 metres) of border wall was unveiled, though subsequent construction was limited. Amid a dramatic rise in illegal immigration in 2022, Abbott began busing migrants to various sanctuary cities, including Washington, D.C. While Democratic Pres. Joe Biden called it “un-American,” the governor accused the federal government of being “reckless” about border security.
Another key objective for Abbott was easing gun laws. In 2021 he signed a “constitutional carry” bill, which allows almost all Texans age 21 and over to carry handguns in public places without a permit. Abbott had earlier touted it as “the strongest Second Amendment legislation in Texas history.” The legislation came after several high-profile mass shootings in the state, including the 2019 incident at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, which left 22 dead (including the gunman).
Citing his religious faith, Abbott also focused on limiting access to abortion. He supported a 2021 state law that banned the procedure as early as six weeks and made no exceptions for rape or incest, though it did permit abortions in cases of medical emergencies. The bill was unique in that it shifted enforcement from the government to private citizens, who were allowed to sue anyone who facilitated the procedure, including medical providers and individuals who provided transportation. The legislation received national attention and was challenged in the courts. However, in June 2022 the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which triggered a Texas law that banned most abortions, making the 2021 legislation moot.
While attending the University of Texas, Abbott met Cecilia Phalen, who later became a teacher and education official. The couple married in 1981 and later adopted a daughter. When Abbott was sworn in as governor, his wife became the state’s first Hispanic first lady.
- Governor of Texas. Abbott announced his intent to run for governor on July 14, 2013, a week after Governor Rick Perry announced that he would not seek a fourth full term.
- Judicial Career. Abbott first held public office in Houston, where he served as a state trial judge for three years. In 1996, Governor George W. Bush appointed Abbott to the Texas Supreme Court.
- Attorney General of Texas. Abbott launched a run for lieutenant governor in 2001, but switched gears after campaigning for just a few months, opting instead for a run for Texas Attorney General, after the incumbent John Cornyn vacated the post to run for the U.S. Senate.
- Early Life, Education. Greg Abbott was born on November 13, 1957, in Wichita Falls. His mother Doris was a homemaker and his father Calvin was a stockbroker and insurance agent.
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When did Greg Abbott become Attorney General of Texas?
Nov 8, 2022 · 2027. Years in position. 9. Predecessor. Rick Perry. Prior offices. Texas 129th District Court. Texas Supreme Court Place 5. Attorney General of Texas. Report an officeholder change. Compensation. Base salary. $153,750. Elections and appointments. Last elected. November 8, 2022. Education. Bachelor's. University of Texas, 1981. Law.
Re-elected to a third term in 2022, Governor Abbott is working tirelessly to build the Texas of tomorrow. He was first elected as the 48th Governor of Texas in 2014. Before being elected Governor, he was the 50th and longest-serving Attorney General in Texas History.
Greg Abbott is 64 years old as of May 2022, when he announced his candidacy for a third term as governor of Texas. He is a former lawyer and runner who became paralyzed from the waist down in a freak accident and became a conservative Republican leader.
Learn about Greg Abbott, the 48th Governor of Texas and a strong conservative leader who fights to preserve Texas values and ensure the Lone Star State remains the best place to live and work. Find out his age, background, achievements, and vision for Texas.
