PERSON: Greg Abbott

48th Governor

Greg Abbott, the 48th Governor of Texas, continues building on his record of strong, conservative leadership. Previously the longest-serving Attorney General in Texas history and a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court, Governor Abbott has long defended the constitutional principles on which this state and our nation were founded.<br> <br> Governor Abbott’s vision for an even stronger Texas of tomorrow is focused on creating more jobs and economic opportunity, elevating our schools and education system, building the transportation infrastructure needed to keep the economy growing and securing the Texas border in the face of federal inaction.<br> <br> Understanding it is Washington that is broken, not America, and that Texas must lead the way for our nation, Governor Abbott continues to fight to preserve our shared values—like faith, family and freedom—for future generations.<br> Greg Abbott Bio PhotoFollowing the successful 2015 Legislative Session, which saw many of his Bicentennial Blueprint priorities earn strong bipartisan support, Governor Abbott signed into law the largest tax cut in Texas in nearly a decade, including an increase in the homestead exemption and a permanent 25% cut in the business franchise tax.<br> <br> His Governor’s University Research Initiative will help Texas universities attract the best and brightest minds. With voter approval in November, billions of dollars will be added for Texas roads—without raising fees, tolls, taxes or debt. And with his signing into law the toughest border security measures of any state in the nation, Governor Abbott is sending a clear message to criminal transnational cartels: Don’t Mess With Texas.<br> <br> A staunch defender of our liberties and 2nd Amendment rights, Governor Abbott made protecting Texas communities his top priority during his tenure as the 50th Texas Attorney General.<br> <br> As Attorney General, Greg 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 in 2014, his office was recognized as the nation’s best child support program by the National Child Support Enforcement Association.<br> <br> Abbott previously served as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court and as a State District Judge in Harris County.<br> A native Texan, Governor Abbott was born in Wichita Falls and raised in Duncanville. After graduating from The University of Texas with a B.B.A. in Finance, he received his law degree from Vanderbilt University. Shortly after graduating from law school, he was partially paralyzed by a falling tree while jogging.<br> <br> Governor Abbott is an avid sportsman and hunter. He and his wife, Cecilia, have been married for 34 years. She is a former school teacher and principal, and the first Hispanic First Lady of Texas. They live in Austin. Their daughter, Audrey, attends college.<br> <br> — gregabbott.com