Overview
- At a Houston kickoff, the Texas governor proposed two-thirds voter approval for local tax hikes, rollback elections via 15% petitions, five-year appraisal cycles, and a 3% cap on appraisal growth.
- His plan calls for a constitutional amendment to eliminate school property taxes, a major shift that would require two-thirds legislative approval to reach voters.
- Abbott emphasized border security and law-and-order themes, highlighting Operation Lone Star and praising President Trump's approach.
- He vowed significant spending to try to flip Harris County after losing it in 2022, making the Houston area a focal point of his strategy.
- The 2026 field includes Democrats Gina Hinojosa, Andrew White, and Bobby Cole, with Republicans Pete Chambers and Ronnie Tullos mounting primary challenges.