sign in sign up
<<
Home , Governor of Texas

(R-TX) OF

Life in Brief Quick Summary Born: November 13, 1957 Law-minded Catholic and Texas GOP insider implements socially conservative agenda Hometown: Duncanville, TX supported by Republican base; ambition fueled by serious accident that left him partially Current Residence: Austin, TX paralyzed • After a short private practice legal career, Religion: Catholic Abbott seized opportunities to move up the state’s judicial and political hierarchies Education • Paralyzed from the waist down after being • J.D. Vanderbilt University, 1984 crushed by tree at age 26; first governor since • B.A., University of Texas, 1981 the 1970s to use a wheel chair full-time • As Attorney General, Abbott teamed with other Family Republican AGs to oppose the Obama • Wife, Cecilia Administration on environmental regulations, • Daughter voting laws, and other issues • As governor, has implemented a conservative Work History social agenda and expanded gun rights • Governor of Texas, January 2015-present • Represents a continuation of George W. Bush • Attorney General of Texas, December 2002- and administrations; pro-business January 2015 social conservative with a national profile, • Associate Justice, Texas Supreme Court, shifting right in-sync with TX GOP base January 1996-June 2001 • Consistent speculation that Abbott will pursue • State Trial Judge, Harris County (TX), 1993- national office like his direct predecessors 1996 • Strong in-state political and financial networks • Attorney, Butler and Binion LLP, 1984-1992 Approach and Motivations Professional Affiliations • Chair of the Republican Governor’s Association Skeptic of federal power has oriented his (current) actions based on national leadership; personally • Central Texas Chapter of Goodwill Industries defined by accident response and Catholic faith • Governor’s Committee to Promote Adoption • Conservative lawyer makes constitutional arguments against federal authority; believes it • Justice for All infringes on states’ rights and religious liberty • Honorary State Chairman of Big Brothers Big • Leveraged legal battles with the Obama Sisters of Texas administration to raise his profile and advance • ’ Biofuels Coalition arguments for curtailing federal authority • Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council • Has taken an opposite approach under the

Trump Administration, supporting federal Electoral Overview policies popular with state GOP base (e.g., • Won governor’s office in 2014 with 60% of the stricter immigration enforcement) vote; re-elected in 2018 with 56% • Disability has become a cornerstone of Abbott’s • Elected to Attorney General’s office three times, appeal to voters; demonstrates personal with an average of 60% of the vote resolve to overcome challenges • Elected to TX Supreme Court twice (1996, • Catholic faith and personal experience inform 1998) by large margins deeply conservative outlook on social issues

PEOPLE RESEARCH SERVICE 1

GREG ABBOTT (R-TX) GOVERNOR OF TEXAS

Policy Positions and Areas of Focus Core Communities

As AG and Governor, Abbott has championed a Ultimate Texas political insider, with conservative social agenda and an expansive connections to key government players and view of state authority vis-à-vis the federal donors; allied with Republican AGs against the government Obama Administration and the pro-life movement Firearms: Supports a broad but not absolute right to bear arms Texas Republican Establishment: Over the past • As AG, opposed an NRA lawsuit to lower two decades, Abbott has enjoyed close personal Texas’ concealed carry age to 18; Supreme and professional relationships with the most Court declined to hear the case prominent Texas politicians • Signed an “open carry” law in 2016, allowing • Appointed to Texas Supreme Court by then- gun owners with concealed handgun licenses to Gov. George W. Bush in 1995 openly display firearms in many public places • Hired current Sen. (R-TX) to be state • Following spate of mass shootings in 2019, solicitor general in 2003; close personal friends Abbott endorsed “voluntary” background checks • Supported by personal friend and then-Gov. for private gun sales Rick Perry in the 2014 election

Social Issues: Conservative Catholic opposes Texas Business: Fundraised huge sums from abortion and gay marriage; seeks to defend the state’s wealthiest individuals and religious liberty companies, and promotes their interests • As AG, defended Texas’ ban on gay marriage; • Abbott’s top career donors are all TX-based law formally struck down by U.S. 5th Circuit billionaires, representing a variety of sectors Court of Appeals from the state’s huge economy including oil, • As Governor, signed several anti-abortion bills construction, and financial services into law, including a measure banning primary • In the 2018 election cycle, Abbott received insurance plans from covering the procedure numerous contributions of $100,000 or greater (women would have to buy separate from TX-based corporations, ranging from supplemental coverage) investment firms, to the state’s largest electric • Signed law allowing faith-based adoption utility, to global telecom giant AT&T agencies to decline adoptees that “conflict” with • Secured foreign investment in TX and the organization’s religious beliefs promoted TX energy on a trip to

Federal Overreach: Asserting Texas’ Republican AGs: United opposition to Obama independence from federal authority Administration environmental goals • As AG, Abbott sued the Obama Administration • Joined forces with then-Oklahoma AG Scott for imposing environmental regulations on Pruitt to sue Obama’s EPA multiple times over states, “circumventing” state authority climate regulations • Ordered suit against the federal government to • Part of a coalition of red-state AGs that banned stop Syrian refugee resettlement in TX in 2015 together against Obama’s Clean Power Plan • Proposed amending the constitution to significantly curtail federal power over states, Pro-Life Groups: Allied with social movement including requiring 7 out of 9 Supreme Court • Formerly served in leadership capacity at justices to overturn a state law Justice for All, a pro-life advocacy group • Embraces Trump Administration’s flexibility • Speaks at pro-life events and demonstrations towards states; in 2020, opted to end refugee (e.g. Texas Rally for Life) resettlement in TX under new policy

PEOPLE RESEARCH SERVICE 2

GREG ABBOTT (R-TX) GOVERNOR OF TEXAS

Relevant Financial Information Publications, Media, and Speaking

Abbott’s campaigns are supported by a variety Prolific writer, speaker, and tweeter is a of TX industries and wealthy individuals; common presence on conservative and continues to receive payments from injury business-focused cable outlets settlement Publications: Abbott has written numerous op- Biggest Interest Group Donors (career) eds criticizing the Obama Administration, • Texans for Lawsuit Reform: $920,000 praising Texas’ low-tax economic approach, and • Border Health PAC: $652,000 calling for voter ID laws and immigration • Texas Association of Realtors: $400,000 enforcement; published book in 2016 • Good Government Fund of Fort Worth: • Books: Broken But Unbowed: The Fight to Fix a $361,000 Broken America • Texas Optometric Association: $313,000 • Favorite Outlets: Local papers (e.g. Austin Statesman), Washington Times, National Biggest Corporate Donors (career) Review, CNBC • Q Investments (Fort Worth, TX): $871,000 • Favorite Subjects: Tax cuts, voter ID laws, • Ryan LLC (Dallas, TX): $610,000 Obamacare, TX business opportunities, • AT&T (Dallas, TX): $418,000 immigration • North Cypress Medical Center Operating Co. (Cypress, TX): $405,908 Media: Frequently discusses hot-button issues • Hillco Partners (Austin, TX): $370,000 on cable news outlets; promoted book in 2016 • Preferred Outlets: Conservative cable outlets Biggest Individual Donors (career) (e.g. Fox News), business-focused outlets (e.g. CNBC), Bloomberg, local TV • Syed Javaid Anwar, CEO, Midland Energy (Midland,TX): $2 million • Favorite Subjects: Federal regulatory overreach, disaster relief, sanctuary cities, TX • Kenneth Troutt, Chairman, Mount Vernon business opportunities Investments (Dallas, TX): $1.5 million • Social Media Habits: Active personal Twitter James Pitcock, CEO, Williams Brothers • account in addition to official account Construction (Houston, TX): $1.4 million • Harold Simmons, Owner, Contran Corporation Speaking: High-profile Governor addresses (Dallas, TX): $1.3 million friendly groups in Texas and meets with leaders • Robert Rowling, CEO, TRT Holdings (Dallas, abroad to promote TX economy; embarked on TX): $1.3 million tour of 19 TX cities in 2016 to promote his book • Favorite Subjects: Abortion, restricting federal Political Donations authority, constitutional amendments, personal • Abbott donated $675,000 to his own 2002 narrative, TX business opportunities campaign for Attorney General • Preferred Audience: Texas college commencements, pro-life groups, gun rights Personal groups (e.g. NRA), conservative think tanks • Following the tree accident, Abbott sued the (e.g. Texas Public Policy Foundation), foreign homeowner and a tree repair company for leaders damages • Settlement worth $11 million, with payments continuing through 2022

PEOPLE RESEARCH SERVICE 3

GREG ABBOTT (R-TX) GOVERNOR OF TEXAS

Family and Personal Background Criticisms and Controversies

Lifelong Texan and Republican suffered Abbott has been criticized for his reaction to a devastating injury at age 26, fueling his 2015 military exercise and legal positions ambition; strongly influenced by his wife, daughter, and Catholic faith Jade Helm Exercises • Native Texan is the son of Goldwater • In 2015, Gov. Abbott had the TX State Guard Republicans, grandson of a rural preacher monitor a U.S. military training exercise called • Excelled in high school; won track meets, Jade Helm, held in TX and other states participated in mock trail, and was voted Most • Conspiracy theorists had spread the idea that Likely to Succeed the exercise was cover for a federal • At UT-Austin, Abbott met Cecilia and they government takeover began attending Catholic mass together • Abbott received bipartisan criticism for his • Nearly killed by a falling tree while jogging; after reaction an excruciating and lengthy ordeal, Abbott was • Former CIA Director Michael Hayden stated in left paralyzed from the waist down a 2018 interview that Russians spread • Credits the accident with increasing his drive misinformation about the exercises, and that making him more appreciative of life Abbott’s decision might have proved the • Displays comfort with his disability and effectiveness of such tactics to them embraces symbolism associated with it; launched gubernatorial campaign on the 29th Personal injury settlement position anniversary of his injury • Sought to restrict payments for personal injury • Converted to Catholicism in 1987 settlements while on the TX Supreme Court • Adopted daughter at birth; has said that this • Supported TX legislature’s decision to cap experience informs his pro-life views noneconomic awards for medical malpractice • During his first run for governor, critics noted Hobbies that Abbott has received millions of dollars for a • Houston Rockets basketball fan tort claim, including for noneconomic damages such as physical and mental anguish

Ruling on chemical location disclosure • As AG, Abbott ruled that state government agencies should withhold the location of dangerous chemicals from the public; decision went against previous state practice • Issue gained prominence in TX following the explosion of a fertilizer plant in 2013 • Justified the decision based on concern that malicious actors could use the information • Suggested that concerned citizens should ask companies themselves about the location of dangerous chemicals

PEOPLE RESEARCH SERVICE 4

GREG ABBOTT (R-TX) GOVERNOR OF TEXAS

COVID-19 Response COVID-19 Response (Continued)

The governor of America’s second-largest state Statements: Paints a cautiously optimistic was slower to respond than some of his peers picture that Texas has avoided worst of the and local governments in TX; beginning gradual outbreak and can re-open its economy reopening of economy • Referring to re-opening the economy and saving lives, Abbott said “we can do both” Actions: Gradually implemented restrictions • While offering sympathy for families of COVID- seen in other states, with local governments 19 victims, Abbott believes that the numbers of taking the lead; began to reopen state economy infections, hospitalizations, and deaths in in late April Texas represent an overall encouraging picture • Issued a disaster proclamation on March 13 in comparison to hardest-hit areas • Issued statewide stay-at-home order that went • Declared that state oil industry would rebound into effect on April 2; prior to that, local from historic drop in prices and stated his governments in large population centers had intention to support the industry through difficult already issued their own orders times • Announced the closure of schools for the • Highlighted increases in state’s testing remainder of the school year on April 17 capacity; called the strategy “effective” at • Signed an executive order on April 17 allowing providing information to local decisionmakers retail businesses offer “retail to go” services beginning April 24; allowed to bring items to Reception customers’ cars • Move to reopen states’ economy criticized as • Established “Strike Force to Open Texas,” premature and reckless by Democrats consisting of top state politicians, medical • Lt. Gov. and other state officials, and business owners Republicans have consistently pushed Abbott • On April 20, announced a mobilization of state to reopen the economy National Guard to run mobile COVID-19 testing • President Trump praised Abbott’s plan to sites reopen the Texas economy on Twitter • In Phase 1 of the state’s opening plan, Abbott is allowing some Texas’ businesses to reopen on May 1 under certain restrictions: o Malls (no food courts or play areas), retailers, movie theaters subject to 25% capacity limit o Allowed to increase to 50% capacity in rural counties with less than 5 confirmed cases • Businesses will have new protocols, such as disposable menus at restaurants and mandatory space between movie attendees • Abbott may allow businesses including gyms, barbershops, hair salons, and bars to open May 18 depending on disease data

PEOPLE RESEARCH SERVICE 5