Gregory Wayne Abbott (born November 13, 1957, in Wichita Falls, Texas) is an American Republican politician, attorney, and jurist serving as the 48th Governor of Texas since January 2015. Raised in Duncanville, Texas, he excelled academically and athletically in high school, earning a football scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance in 1981. He then earned a Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1984. Shortly after law school in 1984, Abbott was involved in a life-altering accident when a falling oak tree struck him while jogging in Houston, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down and requiring the use of a wheelchair. He successfully sued the tree-trimming company responsible, securing a settlement that funded accessibility modifications to his home. Abbott practiced law at Butler & Binion LLP from 1984 to 1992 before transitioning to public service.

Abbott's judicial career began in 1993 when he was appointed as a state district judge in Harris County, Texas, serving until 1996. He was then elected to the Texas Supreme Court, where he served from 1996 to 2001. In 2002, he became the 50th Attorney General of Texas, holding the position until 2015 and becoming the longest-serving in that role. As Attorney General, Abbott gained a national profile for defending conservative causes, including leading over 30 lawsuits against the Obama administration on issues like immigration, healthcare, and environmental regulations. He appointed Ted Cruz as Texas Solicitor General in 2003. Elected Governor in 2014, Abbott has focused on conservative policies including economic growth, business deregulation, low taxes, energy development and deregulation, border security, and conservative social policies. He has signed laws banning sanctuary cities, enacting strict abortion restrictions post-Roe v. Wade, and restricting transgender rights in sports. He has been a vocal critic of federal overreach and COVID-19 mandates, deploying state resources to the U.S.-Mexico border through initiatives like Operation Lone Star. By 2025, Abbott is the longest-serving incumbent U.S. governor, known for his fundraising prowess. Named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in 2024, he remains a prominent figure in Republican politics, though criticized for his handling of the 2021 winter storm, the 2022 Uvalde school shooting response, COVID-19 restrictions, natural disasters, policies on voting rights, and aggressive immigration policies that have led to lawsuits and allegations of overreach.

Abbott is married to Cecilia Phalen Abbott, a former state district judge and the first Latina to serve on the Texas Supreme Court, whom he wed in 1981. They have one daughter, Audrey. A devout United Methodist and conservative Christian, Abbott's faith influences his stances on social issues. His governance has emphasized Texas exceptionalism and business-friendly policies, solidifying his influence in national conservative networks. His personal story of overcoming paralysis has shaped his public image as resilient and tenacious. He has been supported by the Adelson family and Sands Corp political contributions as part of efforts to legalize casino gaming in Texas.