Governor of Texas
| Texas Governor | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $153,750 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $15,129,312 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Texas Constitution, Article 4, Section 1 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Governor of Texas Greg Abbott | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Other Texas Executive Offices | |
| Governor •Lieutenant Governor •Secretary of State •Attorney General •Comptroller •Auditor •Education Commissioner •Agriculture Commissioner •Insurance Commissioner •Land Commissioner •Workforce Commission •Public Utility Commission •Railroad Commission | |
TheGovernor of Texas is the chief executive of the state ofTexas and is elected by the citizens every four years. Thegovernor has the power to: sign and veto bills passed by thestate legislature, serve as commander-in-chief of the state's military forces, convene special sessions of the legislature, grant reprieves and pardons, and fill vacant positions via appointment. Additionally, the governor is responsible for delivering the "State of the State" address and an annualstate budget report and budget recommendation.
Texas has a Republicantrifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Texas has a Republicantriplex. The Republican Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current Governor of Texas isGreg Abbott (R). Abbott assumed office in 2015.
Authority
The Governor's powers, term of office, qualifications, and installation are established by Article 4 of theTexas Constitution.[1]
Article 4, Section 1:
The Executive Department of the State shall consist of a Governor, who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the State... |
Qualifications
Article 4, Section 4 of theTexas Constitution establishes the qualifications of office as such:[2]
He shall be at least thirty years of age, a citizen of the United States, and shall have resided in this State at least five years immediately preceding his election. |
Additionally, the Governor:
...shall not hold any other office: civil, military or corporate; nor shall he practice any profession, and receive compensation, reward, fee, or the promise thereof for the same; nor receive any salary, reward or compensation or the promise thereof from any person or corporation, for any service rendered or performed during the time he is Governor, or to be thereafter rendered or performed. |
Elections
Texas elects governors in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not presidential election years. For Texas, 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030, and 2034 are all gubernatorial election years. Legally, the gubernatorial inauguration is always set for the "first Tuesday after the organization of the Legislature, or as soon thereafter as practicable."[3]
If two candidates tie for the most votes or if an election is contested, a joint session of the legislature shall cast ballots to resolve the issue.[2]
Term limits
Texas governors do not face any term limits.[2]
Partisan composition
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Texas from 1992 to 2013.
2022
- See also:Texas gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of Texas
The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Texas on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Greg Abbott (R) | 54.8 | 4,437,099 |
 | Beto O'Rourke (D) | 43.9 | 3,553,656 | |
 | Mark Tippetts (L)  | 1.0 | 81,932 | |
 | Delilah Barrios (G) | 0.4 | 28,584 | |
 | Jacqueline Abernathy (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 1,243 | |
 | Mark Goloby (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 394 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 8,102,908 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Reginald Jennings II (Independent)
- Jorge Franco (Independent)
- Jeremy Rios (Independent)
- Ricardo Turullols-Bonilla (Independent)
- Justin Cunneen (Independent)
- Sean Sharp (Independent)
- Demetra Wysinger (Independent)
- Chioma Okoro (Independent)
- Star Locke (Independent)
- Raul Cortina (Independent)
- Patrick Wynne (Reform Party)
- Jal Dennis (Independent)
- Deirdre Dickson-Gilbert (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Texas
Beto O'Rourke defeatedJoy Diaz,Michael Cooper,Rich Wakeland, andInocencio Barrientez in the Democratic primary for Governor of Texas on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Beto O'Rourke | 91.4 | 983,182 |
 | Joy Diaz | 3.1 | 33,622 | |
 | Michael Cooper | 3.0 | 32,673 | |
 | Rich Wakeland | 1.2 | 13,237 | |
| Inocencio Barrientez | 1.2 | 12,887 | ||
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 1,075,601 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Texas
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Texas on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Greg Abbott | 66.5 | 1,299,059 |
 | Allen B. West | 12.3 | 239,557 | |
 | Donald Huffines | 12.0 | 234,138 | |
 | Chad Prather | 3.8 | 74,173 | |
| Rick Perry | 3.1 | 61,424 | ||
 | Kandy Kaye Horn | 1.2 | 23,605 | |
| Paul Belew | 0.6 | 11,387 | ||
 | Daniel Harrison | 0.6 | 10,829 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 1,954,172 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Green convention
Green convention for Governor of Texas
Delilah Barrios advanced from the Green convention for Governor of Texas on April 9, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Delilah Barrios (G) |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Governor of Texas
Mark Tippetts defeatedFidel Castillo in the Libertarian convention for Governor of Texas on April 10, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| Fidel Castillo (L) | ||
| ✔ | | Mark Tippetts (L) |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Andrew Jewell (L)
- Daniel Behrman (L)
Past elections
Vacancies
Article 4, Section 16 of theTexas Constitution defines the method by which a vacancy of the Governor's office is filled:
(c) In the case of the temporary inability or temporary disqualification of the Governor to serve, the impeachment of the Governor, or the absence of the Governor from the State, the Lieutenant Governor shall exercise the powers and authority appertaining to the office of Governor until the Governor becomes able or qualified to resume serving, is acquitted, or returns to the State. (d) If the Governor refuses to serve or becomes permanently unable to serve, or if the office of Governor becomes vacant, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor for the remainder of the term being served by the Governor who refused or became unable to serve or vacated the office. On becoming Governor, the person vacates the office of Lieutenant Governor, and the resulting vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Governor shall be filled in the manner provided by Section 9, Article III, of this Constitution. |
Duties
The constitutional and statutory duties of the governor include:
- Signing or vetoing bills passed by the Legislature.
- Serving as commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.
- Convening special sessions of the Legislature for specific purposes.
- Delivering a report on the condition of the state to the Legislature at the beginning of each regular session.
- Estimating of the amounts of money required to be raised by taxation.
- Accounting for all public monies received and paid out by him and recommending a budget for the next two years.
- Granting reprieves and commutations of punishment and pardons upon the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and *Paroles and revoking conditional pardons.
- Declaring special elections to fill vacancies in certain elected offices.
- Appointing qualified Texans to state offices that carry out the laws and direct the policies of state government. Some *of these offices are filled by appointment only. Others are ordinarily elected by the people, but the governor must occasionally appoint individuals to fill vacancies. The governor also appoints Texans to a wide range of advisory bodies and task forces that assist him with specific issues."[4]
Divisions
The Office of the Governor consists of a number councils, committees, and divisions comprised of leaders and experts from diverse backgrounds who provide technical assistance to the Governor across of range of policy areas. They provide research, advice, and organizational leadership to the Governor in support of a "vision for a better, more prosperous Texas."[5] The Office of the Governor is comprised as follows:
Appointments Office
- TheAppointment Office is a team devoted to assisting the Governor in identifying, recruiting, and hiring talented individuals for the many positions that must be filled in a gubernatorial term.
- Appointment is an executive power under which the Governor selects individuals to head state government bodies, councils, and bureaucracies. Appointment power is granted to the governor by theTexas Constitution. '"Article 4, Section 12" states: "All vacancies in State or district offices, except members of the Legislature, shall be filled unless otherwise provided by law by appointment of the Governor."[2] The appointment of officials is one of the most influential methods by which the Governor executes the policies enacted by the legislature. Approximately 3,000 appointments will be made during a four-year term.[6]
| Contact Appointments | |
|---|---|
| Phone: (512) 463-1828 Fax: (512) 475-2576 | |
Budget and Policy
- "TheBudget, Planning and Policy Division advises the Governor regarding state fiscal matters in support of his statutory role as Texas' Chief budget officer. The division also:
- Prepares the Governor's biennial budget recommendations to the Legislature.
- Monitors state appropriations and operations.
- Analyzes fiscal and economic issues.
- Performs other duties determined by the Governor."[7]
| Contact BPP | |
|---|---|
| Phone: (512) 463-1778 Address:1100 San Jacinto, Austin, Texas 78701 | |
Child Sex Trafficking Team
- The Child Sex Trafficking Team (CSTT) helps to end human trafficking and promote policies to end the exploitation of children and help victims of sexual trafficking recover.[8]
| Contact CSTT | |
|---|---|
| Phone: 1-888-373-7888 Address:1100 San Jacinto, Austin, Texas 78701 | |
Commission for Women
Texas First Lady Anita Perry on the Governor's Commission for Women |
- TheGovernor's Commission for Women specializes in research, education, referral services, and outreach in support of helping "Texas women live healthier, more productive and more prosperous lives."[9]
- Contact Women's Commission
- Toll-Free: (800) 839-5323
- Phone: (512) 475-2615
- Fax: (512) 463-1832
- Email: women@governor.state.tx.us
- Address:1100 San Jacinto, Austin, Texas 78701
Committee on People with Disabilities
- The mission of theCommittee on People with Disabilities is "to further opportunities for persons with disabilities to enjoy full and equal access to lives of independence, productivity, and self-determination."[10]
- The Committee advises the Governor on policies and programs in areas that affect the lives of the disabled, while also promoting awareness of and compliance with disability laws in Texas. Areas of focus include: accessibility, communication, education, emergency preparedness, health, housing, recreation, transportation, veterans and workforce.[10]
| Contact Disabilities | |
|---|---|
| Phone: Phone: (512) 463-5739 Email: GCPD@governor.state.tx.us | |
Constituent Communication
- Constituent Communication is the Texas citizenry's connection to the Governor. The division reviews and responds to letters, emails, phone calls, and faxes from constituents.
| Contact The Governor's Office | |
|---|---|
| Contact Us Gregory S. Davidson, Constituent Communication Division Director and Executive Clerk to the Governor | |
Criminal Justice Division
- The mission of the Criminal Justice Division is "to create and support programs that protect people from crime, reduce the number of crimes committed, and to promote accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness within the criminal justice system."[11]
- The division administers various forms of state and federal grant funding that adhere to the following two goals: "1) encourage innovative solutions and 2) provide for local control."[11] Further, the CJD assists and advises the governor across a range of programs and policy areas within the Texas criminal justice system - ranging from coordinating state and local efforts to measuring the performance of community-based programs to evaluating juvenile justice procedures and programs.[11]
| Contact Criminal Justice Division | |
|---|---|
| Phone: (512) 463-1919 Fax: (512) 475-2440 | |
Economic Development
- TheEconomic Development division operates a range of programs and activities aimed at promoting the state of Texas in the national and international spheres as a place for business development and location, as well as a premiere travel location. The division is composed of the following focus areas:
- Texas Business Development
- The Office of Aerospace and Aviation
- The Economic Development Bank
- Small Business Assistance
- Texas Tourism
- Texas Military Preparedness Division
| Contact Economic Development and Tourism Division | |
|---|---|
| Phone: 512-936-0100 Email: locatetx@governor.state.tx.us | |
Financial Services
- The mission ofFinancial Services is to ensure "that all financial transactions in the governor’s office set the highest standard for the state."[12]
| Contact Financial Services | |
|---|---|
| Chief Financial Officer: Rebeca Temple White, CPA Email: Rebeca.White@Governor.state.tx.us | |
General Counsel
- TheOffice of General Counsel "provides legal advice to the Governor and his team, handling the broad range of issues encountered in leading the second largest state in the nation."[13]
| Contact Office of General Counsel | |
|---|---|
| Department Mailing Address: Office of the General Counsel, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, TX 78711 Phone: 512.463.2000 | |
Homeland Security
- Established in 2003, theGovernor's Office of Homeland Security's mission is " to protect Texans, as well as the State’s critical infrastructure and key resources, from all threats."[14] The Office accomplishes this mission by assisting the state in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from natural and manmade disasters.
| Contact Homeland Security | |
|---|---|
| Phone: (512) 475-0645 Fax: (512) 475-0876 | |
Human Resources
- TheHuman Resources Division handles all hiring and personnel issues for positions within the Office of the Governor. Human Resources also manages theTexas Governor's Fellowship Program.
| Contact HR | |
|---|---|
| Phone:(512)463-5873 Email: humanresources@governor.state.tx.us | |
Press Office
- ThePress Office serves as the conduit of communication between the Governor and the press. The Office conveys the Governor's perspectives on policy matters, current events, and pressing issues to journalists and reporters as a primary method of communicating with the people of Texas.[15]
| Contact Press Office | |
|---|---|
| Department Mailing Address: P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711 Department Physical Address: 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701 | |
Scheduling and Advance
- Scheduling and Advance is "responsible for responding to requests for the Governor’s time in an efficient and courteous manner, as well as organizing the logistics of the governor’s attendance at local, state, national and international events. This office creates a clear, concise schedule for the governor on a daily basis."[16]
| Contact Scheduling and Advance | |
|---|---|
| Department Mailing Address: P.O. Box 12428 Austin, Texas 7871 Phone: 512.463.7210 | |
Texas Film Commission
- TheTexas Film Commission was created in 1979 to ""encourage the orderly development of the film, television, and multi-media production industry in Texas in order to utilize the state's vast array of natural, human, and economic resources which are uniquely suitable for that industry."[17]
| Contact Texas Film Commission | |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13246, Austin, TX 78711 Phone: (512) 463-9200 | |
Texas Healthcare Policy Council
- The mission of theTexas Healthcare Policy Council is to "research, analyze, and provide recommendations on ways to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the health care system in Texas." The Council furthers this mission by conducting research into efective health care solutions, ensuring collaboration amongst state and local health care providers, assisting communities in assessing their heath care needs, and assisting the Governor with various health care related issues as they arise.
| Contact THCPC | |
|---|---|
| Phone: (512) 463-1778 Fax: (512) 463-1975 | |
Texas Music Office
- The mission of theTexas Music Office is to serve "as the information clearinghouse and promotion office for the Texas music industry."[18]
| Contact Texas Music Office | |
|---|---|
| Mailing address: P.O. Box 13246 Austin, Texas 78711 Physical address: State Insurance Building, Suite 3.418, 1100 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, Texas 78701 | |
Texas Workforce Investment Council
- The mission of theTexas Workforce Investment Council is to assist "the Governor and the Legislature with strategic planning for and evaluation of the Texas workforce development system, which is composed of eight state agencies and 25 diverse and dynamic programs. The Council’s strategic priority is to promote the linkage of education, workforce and economic development in order to leverage resources, increase collaboration among state and local partners, and build the pipeline of skilled workers that Texas must have to prosper in the 21st century."[19]
| Contact TWIC | |
|---|---|
| Phone:(512) 936-8100 Email: twic@governor.state.tx.us | |
State budget
Role in state budget
- See also:Texas state budget and finances
The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[20]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies beginning inJune.
- Agencies submit their budget requests to thegovernor betweenJuly and September.
- Public hearings are held betweenJuly and October.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature by thedate of the State of the State address.
- The legislature typically adopts a budget inMay. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins inSeptember.
Texas is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.[20][21]
The legislature is constitutionally required to adopt a balanced budget. The governor must sign a balanced budget into law.[20]
Governor's office budget
The budget for the Governor's Office in Fiscal Year 2025 was $15,129,312.[22]
Compensation
See statutes:Texas Statutes Title 6, Chapter 659
The governor, along with the rest of Texas' executive officers, is entitled byArticle 4, Section 5 of theTexas Constitution to receive an annual salary, pursuant to Title 6, Section 659.011 of the Texas Statutes. The legislature was empowered to set the salaries of executive branch officers by a 1954 constitutional amendment. Prior to that, the constitution stipulated the salary amounts paid to each officer.[23] The amounts are fixed by the biennial General Appropriations Act.
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $153,750, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[24]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $153,750, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[25]
2021
In 2021, the governor received a salary of $153,750, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[26]
2020
In 2020, the governor’s salary was increased to $153,750, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[27]
2019
In 2019, the governor’s salary was increased to $153,750, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[28]
2018
In 2018, the governor’s salary was increased to $153,750, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[29]
2017
In 2017, the governor’s salary was increased to $153,750, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[30]
2016
In 2016, the governor’s salary was increased to $153,750, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[31]
2015
In 2015, the governor received a salary of $150,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[32]
2014
In 2014, the governor received a salary of $150,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[33]
2013
In 2013, the governor's salary remained at $150,000.[34]
2010
In 2010, the Texas Governor was paid an estimated $150,000 according to theCouncil of State Governments, the11th highest gubernatorial salary in America.[35]
Historical officeholders
From 1846-present, the state of Texas has had 48 governors. Of the 48 governors, 40 wereDemocratic, six wereRepublican, one was anIndependent and one was a Unionist.[36]
Click"show" for Texas former governors from 1846 to present.
| Number | Name | Took office | Left office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Pinckney Henderson | February 19, 1846 | December 21, 1847 | Democratic |
| 2 | George T. Wood | December 21, 1847 | December 21, 1849 | Democratic |
| 3 | Peter Hansborough Bell | December 21, 1849 | November 23, 1853 | Democratic |
| 4 | James W. Henderson | November 23, 1853 | December 21, 1853 | Democratic |
| 5 | Elisha M. Pease | December 21, 1853 | December 21, 1857 | Unionist |
| 6 | Hardin R. Runnels | December 21, 1857 | December 21, 1859 | Democratic |
| 7 | Sam Houston | December 21, 1859 | March 18, 1861 | Independent |
| 8 | Edward Clark | March 18, 1861 | November 7, 1861 | Democratic |
| 9 | Francis R. Lubbock | November 7, 1861 | November 5, 1863 | Democratic |
| 10 | Pendleton Murrah | November 5, 1863 | June 17, 1865 | Democratic |
| 11 | Andrew J. Hamilton | June 17, 1865 | August 9, 1866 | Democratic-Military |
| 12 | James W. Throckmorton | August 9, 1866 | August 8, 1867 | Democratic |
| 13 | Elisha M. Pease | June 8, 1867 | September 30, 1869 | Republican |
| 14 | Edmund J. Davis | January 8, 1870 | January 15, 1874 | Republican |
| 15 | Richard Coke | January 15, 1874 | December 21, 1876 | Democratic |
| 16 | Richard B. Hubbard | December 21, 1876 | January 21, 1879 | Democratic |
| 17 | Oran M. Roberts | January 21, 1879 | January 16, 1883 | Democratic |
| 18 | John Ireland | January 16, 1883 | January 20, 1887 | Democratic |
| 19 | Lawrence Sullivan Ross | January 18, 1887 | January 20, 1891 | Democratic |
| 20 | James Stephen Hogg | January 20, 1891 | January 15, 1895 | Democratic |
| 21 | Charles A. Culberson | January 15, 1895 | January 17, 1899 | Democratic |
| 22 | Joseph D. Sayers | January 17, 1899 | January 20, 1903 | Democratic |
| 23 | S. W. T. Lanham | January 20, 1903 | January 15, 1907 | Democratic |
| 24 | Thomas Mitchell Campbell | January 15, 1907 | January 17, 1911 | Democratic |
| 25 | Oscar Branch Colquitt | January 17, 1911 | January 19, 1915 | Democratic |
| 26 | James E. "Pa" Ferguson | January 19, 1915 | August 25, 1917 | Democratic |
| 27 | William P. Hobby | August 25, 1917 | January 18, 1921 | Democratic |
| 28 | Pat Morris Neff | January 18, 1921 | January 20, 1925 | Democratic |
| 29 | Miriam A. "Ma" Ferguson | January 20, 1925 | January 17, 1927 | Democratic |
| 30 | Dan Moody | January 17, 1927 | January 20, 1931 | Democratic |
| 31 | Ross S. Sterling | January 20, 1931 | January 17, 1933 | Democratic |
| 32 | Miriam A. "Ma" Ferguson | January 17, 1933 | January 15, 1935 | Democratic |
| 33 | James V. Allred | January 15, 1935 | January 17, 1939 | Democratic |
| 34 | W. Lee O'Daniel | January 17, 1939 | August 4, 1941 | Democratic |
| 35 | Coke R. Stevenson | August 4, 1941 | January 21, 1947 | Democratic |
| 36 | Beauford H. Jester | January 21, 1947 | July 11, 1949 | Democratic |
| 37 | Allan Shivers | July 11, 1949 | January 15, 1957 | Democratic |
| 38 | Price Daniel | January 15, 1957 | January 15, 1963 | Democratic |
| 39 | John Connally | January 15, 1963 | January 21, 1969 | Democratic |
| 40 | Preston Smith | January 21, 1969 | January 16, 1973 | Democratic |
| 41 | Dolph Briscoe | January 16, 1973 | January 16, 1979 | Democratic |
| 42 | Bill Clements | January 16, 1979 | January 18, 1983 | Republican |
| 43 | Mark White | January 18, 1983 | January 20, 1987 | Democratic |
| 44 | Bill Clements | January 20, 1987 | January 15, 1991 | Republican |
| 45 | Ann Richards | January 15, 1991 | January 17, 1995 | Democratic |
| 46 | George W. Bush | January 17, 1995 | December 21, 2000 | Republican |
| 47 | Rick Perry | December 21, 2000 | January 20, 2015 | Republican |
| 48 | Greg Abbott | January 20, 2015 | Incumbent | Republican |
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
From 1992-2013, in Texas there were Democratic governors in office for the first three years while there were Republican governors in office for the last 19 years. Texas is one of eight states that were run by a Republican governor for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. Texas was under Republicantrifectas for the last 11 years of the study period.
Across the country, there were 493 years of Democratic governors (44.82%) and 586 years of Republican governors (53.27%) from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of Texas, theTexas State Senate and theTexas House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
Texas was one of eight states to demonstratea dramatic partisan shift in the 22 years studied. A dramatic shift was defined by a movement of 40 percent or more toward one party over the course of the study period. Texas started out with Democratic trifectas but shifted to Republican trifectas by the end of the study.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Texas state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Prior to Republican trifectas, which started in 2003, the SQLI rating for Texas stayed consistently in the 30s, except for its lowest ranking of 40 in 1994 during a Democratic trifecta. Within a few years of the Republican trifectas that ranking moved up, and Texas finished 11th, its highest ranking, in 2012.
- SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 36.67
- SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 18.00
- SQLI average with divided government: 33.63
State profile
| Demographic data for Texas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Texas | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 27,429,639 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 261,232 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 74.9% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 11.9% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.5% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 38.4% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 81.9% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 27.6% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $53,207 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 19.9% | 11.3% |
| Source:U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Clickhere for more information on the 2020 census andhere for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Texas. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the censushere. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also:Presidential voting trends in Texas
Texasvoted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted forDonald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting forBarack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won thesePivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, one is located in Texas, accounting for 0.5 percent of the total pivot counties.[37]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won asRetained Pivot Counties and those won byJoe Biden (D) asBoomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Texas had one Retained Pivot County, 0.55 percent of all Retained Pivot Counties.
More Texas coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Texas
- United States congressional delegations from Texas
- Public policy in Texas
- Endorsers in Texas
- Texas fact checks
- More...
Contact information
Physical Address:
Office of the Governor
State Insurance Building
1100 San Jacinto
Austin, Texas 78701
Mailing Address:
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428
Phone: 512-463-2000
Fax: 512-463-1849
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑Texas Constitution and Statutes, "ARTICLE 4. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑2.02.12.22.3The Texas Constitution, "Article 4," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION, "ARTICLE 4. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT," accessed December 14, 2021
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Governor's Duties, Requirements & Powers," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Governor's Office Organization," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Appointment Responsibility," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Budget, Planning and Policy," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Child Sex Trafficking Team," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Commission for Women," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑10.010.1Office of the Governor, "Committee on People with Disabilities," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑11.011.111.2Office of the Governor, "Criminal Justice Division," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Financial Services," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑Office of the Governor, "General Counsel," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Homeland Security," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Press Office," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Scheduling and Advance," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Texas Film Commission History," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑Office of the Governor, "Texas Music Commission," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑Office of the Governor, "The Texas Workforce System," accessed August 2, 2014
- ↑20.020.120.2National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑Texas Legislature, "H.B. No. 1 General Appropriations Act," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑Texas State Historical Association, "SALARIES OF STATE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑Council of State Governments, "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries," June 25, 2013
- ↑The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.3," accessed April 11, 2011
- ↑Texas State Library and Archives Commission, "Chronological List of Texas Governors," January 13, 2021
- ↑The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip ofAtlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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