Meet Gov. Abbott
As the 48th Governor of the State of Texas, Greg Abbott continues to build on his long record as a conservative leader who fights to preserve Texas values like faith, family and freedom.
Governor Abbott’s vision for a better future for Texas is founded on economic opportunity, education excellence and limited government. His detailed Bicentennial Blueprint helped drive a successful 84th Legislative Session and included accomplishments such as: cutting billions in taxes to stimulate job growth; improving Texas roads; focusing on quality education; securing the border; and expanding protection of Texans’ constitutional rights.
Prior to his election as governor in 2014, Greg Abbott was the 50th and longest-serving Attorney General of Texas. As the state’s chief law enforcement official, he made protecting Texas communities the focus of his tenure.
Shortly after taking office, then-Attorney General Abbott established a Cyber Crimes Unit to arrest criminals who use the Internet to prey upon children; a Fugitive Unit to arrest convicted sex offenders who violate their parole; and an expanded Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to crack down on elder abuse and waste of taxpayer dollars. He collected more than $31 billion in child support for Texas children, and his office was recognized as the nation’s best child support program in 2014 by the National Child Support Enforcement Association.
He also previously served as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court and as a State District Judge in Harris County.
A native Texan and an avid sportsman and hunter, Governor Abbott was born in Wichita Falls and raised in Duncanville. After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Finance, he received his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School. Shortly after graduating from law school, he was partially paralyzed by a falling tree while jogging.
Governor Abbott and his wife, Cecilia, have been married for 35 years. She is a former teacher and principal and the first Hispanic First Lady of Texas. They have one daughter, Audrey, a college student.
