Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is seeking a fourth term against Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who has served five terms in the Legislature. Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, said Abbott has "historic levels of influence" because of his tenure, his appointments and his maneuverability. Henson said Abbott has staffed state agencies with Republican leaders who share his thinking.
Sherri Greenberg, assistant dean at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, said a governor's legislative agenda becomes reality only when lawmakers introduce and pass the bills. Republicans are expected to keep control of the House and Senate next year. Recent public polls have shown Hinojosa either leading or narrowly trailing Abbott.
Henson said a divided government could make cooperation among Republicans difficult. Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin is challenging Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, but the Senate is widely expected to remain under GOP control. Henson said periods of divided control in the past led to many special legislative sessions.