A Fourth Abbott Term? What Texans Should Know Before Heading to the Polls

Gov. Abbott officially announced that he is running for a fourth term as Governor of Texas in the 2026 election.
If re-elected, he would become the longest-serving governor in Texas history, surpassing his predecessor’s 14 years.
In his announcement, he framed the campaign around continuing conservative “common-sense” leadership, lowering property taxes, boosting education, and strengthening public safety.

Here are a few examples of policies either advanced or signed by Abbott that are relevant to women and gender issues, along with some of the implications:

a) Reproductive & women’s health issues

• He signed bills limiting insurance coverage for abortion procedures in earlier years, which women’s-health advocates say restricts access to care.
• Critics also highlight what they describe as an “anti-women” record, pointing to policies they believe limit bodily autonomy or access to care.

b) Legislation on gender identity and privacy

• In 2025, Abbott signed Texas House Bill 229 (sometimes called the “What is a Woman Bill”) which updates how “man,” “woman,” “boy,” “girl” are defined in state law and basing them strictly on biological attributes.
• Also, he signed the Texas Women’s Privacy Act (SB 8) claiming to protect women’s private spaces (locker rooms, bathrooms) by restricting use by individuals based on gender identity.
  • Supporters see this as safeguarding women’s privacy and safety.
  • Critics argue it reinforces discrimination against transgender people and may indirectly impact women seeking inclusive care or services.

c) Education & public-funding implications

• His tax-relief plan proposes property tax cuts, but some analysts raise concerns that this could reduce revenue for public schools, which serve many women (as students, teachers, parents) and communities.

WHY YOU NEED TO GET OUT AND VOTE

The office of governor has significant influence over state laws, budgets, education policy, health policy, and regulatory oversight. Whoever holds it will shape policies that affect women’s health, access, economic opportunity, and rights.

Turnout and engagement matter: decisions like tax policy, education funding, reproductive rights, and definitions of gender identity are shaped at state level and can have long-term effects.

Voting isn’t just about choosing a candidate; it’s also about signaling priorities, holding elected officials accountable, and ensuring that diverse voices (including women) are represented in the democracy.

Especially in a state like Texas where change can be incremental and the majority-party dominance is strong, the margin of difference can matter: policy directions may shift depending on who wins.