Greg Abbott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greg Abbott
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Abbott in 2024
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| 48th Governor of Texas | |
| Assumed office January 20, 2015 |
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| Lieutenant | Dan Patrick |
| Preceded by | Rick Perry |
| Chair of the Republican Governors Association | |
| In office November 21, 2019 – December 9, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Pete Ricketts |
| Succeeded by | Doug Ducey |
| 50th Attorney General of Texas | |
| In office December 2, 2002 – January 5, 2015 |
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| Governor | Rick Perry |
| Preceded by | John Cornyn |
| Succeeded by | Ken Paxton |
| Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas | |
| In office January 2, 1996 – June 6, 2001 |
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| Appointed by | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Jack Hightower |
| Succeeded by | Xavier Rodriguez |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gregory Wayne Abbott
November 13, 1957 Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Cecilia Phalen
(m. 1981) |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence | Texas Governor's Mansion |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin (BBA) Vanderbilt University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Gregory Wayne Abbott (born November 13, 1957) is an American politician. He has been the 48th governor of Texas since 2015. He is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming governor, he was the 50th attorney general of Texas from 2002 to 2015. He also served as a judge on the Texas Supreme Court from 1996 to 2001.
In March 2024, Governor Abbott announced he would run for reelection for a fourth term.
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Early Life and Education
Greg Abbott was born on November 13, 1957, in Wichita Falls, Texas. His family moved to Longview when he was six. They later moved to Duncanville when he was 12. His father passed away when Greg was in high school.
In 1981, Abbott earned a degree in finance from the University of Texas at Austin. He met his wife, Cecilia Phalen, there, and they married in 1981. In 1984, he earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School.
Legal and Judicial Career
After law school, Abbott worked as a lawyer in private practice. Later, he became a state trial judge in Houston for three years.
In 1996, then-Governor George W. Bush appointed Abbott to the Texas Supreme Court. This is the highest civil court in Texas. He was elected to this court twice. In 2001, he left the Supreme Court and returned to working as a lawyer. He also taught law at the University of Texas School of Law.
Attorney General of Texas (2002–2015)
In 2001, Abbott decided to run for lieutenant governor. However, the current attorney general, John Cornyn, left his job to run for the U.S. Senate. So, Abbott changed his campaign to run for attorney general instead. He won the election in 2002 and became the attorney general of Texas. He started his term on December 2, 2002.
As attorney general, Abbott expanded the law enforcement part of his office. It grew from about 30 people to over 100.
In 2005, Abbott argued a case before the United States Supreme Court. He defended a monument of the Ten Commandments at the Texas State Capitol. The Supreme Court decided that the monument was allowed under the U.S. Constitution.
Governor of Texas (2015–Present)
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Greg Abbott became the governor of Texas on January 20, 2015. He was the first governor of Texas to use a wheelchair. He is also the third elected governor of a U.S. state to use a wheelchair.
In 2016, Governor Abbott wrote a book called Broken But Unbowed. It shared his personal story and his ideas about politics.
Laws About Firearms
In 2015, Governor Abbott signed two important laws about firearms. One law, called "campus carry," allows people with a license to carry a hidden handgun on public college campuses. Private colleges could choose not to allow this. The other law, "open carry," allows licensed people to openly carry handguns in public places. Texas became the 45th state to have open carry.
In 2021, he signed a law that lets Texans carry guns without needing a license.
Immigration and Border Security
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In 2015, Governor Abbott signed a bill to improve border security in Texas. This included hiring more state police and using more technology.
In 2021, he ordered state child-care agencies to remove licenses from facilities that housed young migrants who arrived without parents. He said this was to help facilities for Texas children in foster care. Later that year, he announced plans to build a border wall with Mexico. The state would provide money, and people could donate to help build it.
In July 2021, Abbott told state law enforcement to arrest people crossing the border without permission for trespassing. He also ordered the National Guard to help with these arrests. In December 2023, he signed bills making illegal immigration a state crime.
In June 2023, Governor Abbott placed floating barriers in the Rio Grande river. This was done to try and stop illegal border crossings.
Environment and Climate
As of 2018, Governor Abbott believes the climate is changing. However, he does not agree with the idea that human activities are the main cause of this change.
College Diversity Programs
In 2023, Governor Abbott signed a law that stops public colleges and universities in Texas from having certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices. Supporters of the law said it would save money and promote a fair approach to education. Others were concerned it might make diversity efforts harder.
Personal Life
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Greg Abbott is a Catholic. He is married to Cecilia Phalen Abbott. She is the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants. They married in 1981 in San Antonio. When Greg Abbott became governor, Cecilia became the first Latina to be First Lady of Texas. They have one adopted daughter named Audrey. Cecilia used to be a schoolteacher and principal.
Wheelchair Use
On July 14, 1984, when he was 26 years old, Greg Abbott was jogging after a storm. An oak tree fell on him, causing him to be paralyzed below the waist. He had surgery and rehabilitation. He has used a wheelchair ever since.
Images for kids
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Abbott speaking with President Donald Trump and members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force in the Oval Office.
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See also
In Spanish: Greg Abbott para niños
