For the first time in 14 years, Texans will have a new leader in the Governor’s mansion. Taking over from longtime Governor Rick Perry, Greg Abbott was sworn in Tuesday morning before throngs of Texans on the south steps of the Capitol with a Texas-sized dose of pomp and circumstance.
After 12 successful years where he mostly “sued Obama and went home,” Attorney General Greg Abbott enjoyed widespread support across the Republican Party. He coasted through the primary and faced off against Democrat State Sen. Wendy Davis in the 2014 gubernatorial election.
Despite attempts to “turn Texas blue” Abbott defeated Davis in a historic landslide in which Davis underperformed previous Democratic challenger Bill White, all while Abbott made significant gains. For the first time in years, Abbott took almost half of the Hispanic vote and flipped 10 Democratic counties to the GOP.
In his inaugural address, Abbott said “As governor I will ensure Texas remains the state that provides that brand of opportunity for every Texan. Texas truly is the land of opportunity, the place where anyone can achieve anything. But as great as Texas is there’s more we must do.”
The call to action is a clear reference to Abbott’s conservative policy agenda of regulatory reform, fiscally responsible budgeting, and ending corporate welfare, which headline the governor’s priorities along with transportation changes and overhauls in education.
In taking the reins of the Texas government, Abbott is thought to be very much on the same wavelength as Perry. He has spoken of continuing the kind of conservative leadership and vows to be “even bigger and bolder” than his predecessor in luring business to Texas and fostering job creation.
