The Governor can veto any bill that comes across his/her desk — one person is stopping the laws that your own representatives voted for on your behalf. The Governor also appoints the Secretary of State in charge of our elections and appoints the boards that oversee most state agencies. It's important our Governor stands for Texans, not just Texas businesses.
The Democratic candidate
Gina Hinojosa
DemocratAbout Gina
Gina Hinojosa has spent her career holding corrupt politicians accountable. From a civil-rights attorney to a decade as Texas State Representative, she has led corporate reform, fighting billionaires and corporate interests while pushing the state to invest in our public schools, expand health care access, and lower costs for Texans.
She was on the legal team that sued Tom DeLay's political operation over illegal corporate money — and won. She joined the Austin School Board in 2012 to keep her son's elementary school open, and ended up its president. In the House she helped pass the biggest teacher-pay bill in a generation, then wrote a $40 billion plan to fully fund public schools that Abbott killed because it didn't come with vouchers. In 2025, Ken Paxton sued to throw her out of the Legislature for standing up to Abbott — the court tossed it out. Now she's standing up to Abbott again, and despite his $100 million corporate-backed campaign, she's within a few points in the polls. With your vote, you can put integrity back in the Governor's office.
Also on the ballot
Every candidate who filed for this office appears here. Tap a name to read more.
Greg AbbottAbout Greg
Three weeks after graduating law school, a tree fell on him while he was jogging. He was 26. He's been in a wheelchair ever since — and in power for most of it.
Abbott sued the homeowner whose falling oak paralyzed him, winning a lifetime settlement. He later became one of Texas's strongest advocates for lawsuit damage caps — caps that would have drastically limited his own recovery. He and his wife Cecilia, granddaughter of Mexican immigrants and Texas's first Latina First Lady, have one adopted daughter.
Pat DixonAbout Pat
A two-term Lago Vista city council member who spent a decade chairing the Libertarian Party of Texas before running for governor.
Dixon has served two terms on the Lago Vista, Texas city council. He led the Libertarian Party of Texas as its chair for 10 years, served two terms on the Libertarian National Committee, and chaired the Libertarian State Leadership Association. He's the Libertarian nominee for governor, facing Greg Abbott and Gina Hinojosa in November.
Where to vote
Hays County uses vote centers — any registered Hays County voter can vote at any open location in the county. Locations and hours by city: