Gregory Wayne Abbott (born November 13, 1957) is an American attorney and Republican politician who has served as Governor of Texas since 2015. Prior to the governorship he held statewide office as Texas Attorney General and served on the Texas Supreme Court. Abbott is a prominent figure in conservative politics and is widely known for litigation against federal policies and for his focus on state-level issues such as border security and business regulation. For an overview, see biography.

Early life and education

Born and raised in Texas, Abbott attended public schools before earning a bachelor's degree in business and later a law degree. He began his professional career in private practice and in state government legal roles. His legal education and early work established his credentials as a courtroom lawyer and civil jurist; more on his legal background is available at legal career.

Abbott served as an associate justice on the Texas Supreme Court in the 1990s and then won election as Texas Attorney General in the early 2000s. As attorney general he pursued lawsuits challenging federal administrative actions and defended state laws in courts nationwide. These cases raised his national profile and shaped his reputation for using state authority to challenge federal policy; see political positions for summaries of major issues.

Governor of Texas

Abbott was elected governor in 2014 and has been re-elected since. His governorship emphasizes economic development, low taxes, conservative social policy, and stricter immigration and border enforcement. He frequently works with the Texas legislature on measures affecting health, education, energy, and public safety, and has directed state executive actions on matters of immediate concern. Campaigns and election results are described at campaign pages.

Policies, controversies, and public profile

Key themes of Abbott's public agenda include fiscal conservatism, support for the Second Amendment, opposition to portions of federal health-care and environmental regulations, and advocacy for expanded state authority in immigration enforcement. His decisions and the legal strategies his office pursued have attracted both support and criticism from different constituencies. For media and policy sources, consult governor's office materials and independent analyses at news summaries.

Personal note: Abbott has been a wheelchair user since a 1984 accident and often speaks about accessibility and public service. He is married and his family life figures into public introductions and ceremonial duties as governor.