Gov. Greg Abbott used a high-profile speech before thousands of Republican activists at the Texas GOP convention on Friday to outline his political strategy for the 2026 midterm elections and preview a sweeping list of legislative priorities, ranging from immigration and election reforms to property taxes and local government spending.
Speaking at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, Abbott delivered a forceful message centered on party unity and conservative governance, repeatedly drawing contrasts between Republicans and Democrats while positioning the opposition as aligned with what he described as “Bernie Sanders socialism.” The governor framed the upcoming election as a critical battle over Texas’ future and urged party activists to mobilize voters ahead of November.
“Unity is going to drive victory this November, and no one does a better job than you all” at turning out voters, Abbott told convention delegates. “Together, we will demolish the Democrats. Together, we are going to win in November. Together, we are going to keep Texas, Texas.”
The speech offered one of the clearest indications yet of Abbott’s campaign strategy as he seeks an unprecedented fourth term as governor. Rather than focusing on his own Democratic opponent, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin, Abbott largely directed his criticism at the broader Democratic Party and at U.S. Senate candidate Rep. James Talarico, portraying Democrats as out of step with Texas voters.
Notably, Abbott did not mention Hinojosa by name during his remarks. Instead, he took aim at Austin, referring to the state capital as the “People’s Republic of Austin,” a line that drew applause from convention attendees.
Closing Republican Primaries Emerges as Key Issue
One of the most closely watched moments of Abbott’s speech came when he suggested Texas could move toward requiring voters to register with a political party, a change that would effectively close the state’s primary elections to non-members.
The proposal has become a major priority for grassroots Republican activists, who argue that Democrats sometimes participate in GOP primaries to support more moderate candidates. The issue has gained additional attention following a lawsuit by the Republican Party of Texas against Secretary of State Jane Nelson, seeking changes that would allow the state’s primaries to be closed.
Abbott’s comments came just two weeks after Nelson announced she would step down from her position in July. Because Abbott has not yet named her replacement, some Republican activists hope a new secretary of state could take a different approach to the legal dispute surrounding closed primaries.
While Abbott stopped short of announcing a specific policy proposal, his remarks signaled support for a change long sought by conservative activists within the party.
Immigration Remains Central to Abbott’s Agenda
Immigration enforcement continued to feature prominently in Abbott’s message. The governor praised efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico border and accused Democrats of attempting to distance themselves from policies that Republicans have criticized during the Biden administration.
Abbott also called on lawmakers to codify an executive order that froze new H-1B visa applications from state agencies and public universities. He argued that the restrictions should be expanded even further.
According to Abbott, a future law should extend the freeze to “all state and local governments,” adding, “Texas jobs should only go to Texans.”
The proposal reflects the governor’s broader emphasis on workforce policies that prioritize Texas residents while continuing his administration’s focus on immigration and border security as defining political issues.
Republicans have frequently pointed to increased illegal border crossings during the Biden administration as evidence that stronger enforcement measures are needed. Abbott’s remarks suggest immigration will remain a central pillar of both his governing agenda and his campaign message heading into the midterms.
Property Taxes and Local Government Spending
Beyond immigration, Abbott devoted significant attention to fiscal issues that have become recurring themes during his tenure.
The governor renewed his call to ban local governments from using taxpayer funds to hire lobbyists in Austin, a practice critics often describe as taxpayer-funded lobbying. He also advocated for greater restrictions on city and county spending and promoted a property tax proposal that would require two-thirds voter approval before property tax increases could take effect.
Abbott argued that these measures would provide taxpayers with greater control over local government decisions while limiting spending growth.
The governor additionally highlighted plans to regulate data centers and pursue further property tax reductions, both of which are expected to be major topics during future legislative sessions.
Controversial Comments on Sharia Law
Among the most controversial portions of Abbott’s speech were his comments regarding Sharia law.
The governor accused Democrats of supporting Sharia law and called for stronger state action against it. His remarks generated some of the loudest applause of the event.
Abbott said he wanted Texas to completely outlaw Sharia law and expand the authority of the attorney general’s office to address the issue.
“The contrast between what Republicans have passed and how Democrats have voted is shocking,” Abbott said. “It should be a five-alarm warning to anybody thinking about voting for Democrats.”
The comments underscored the governor’s broader effort to draw sharp ideological distinctions between Republicans and Democrats as the election season intensifies.
Harris County Targeted for Republican Gains
Abbott also identified Harris County as a major political battleground.
The governor said he intends to invest $25 million in efforts to turn the county red again and pledged to campaign aggressively at the neighborhood level.
“We will campaign block by block, door to door,” Abbott said, emphasizing grassroots organizing as a key component of the Republican strategy.
Harris County, home to Houston and the state’s largest concentration of voters, has increasingly favored Democrats in recent election cycles, making it a critical target for Republicans seeking to expand their statewide margins.
Democratic Response
Hinojosa responded quickly to Abbott’s speech, criticizing both its substance and tone.
“In his speech, Abbott made no mention of rising health care costs, utility rates, or the fact that the American Dream is out of reach for too many Texans after 12 years of his failed leadership,” she said in a statement.
Hinojosa also outlined alternative priorities, saying that as governor she would “strengthen Texas public schools, hold down utility costs for working families, and ensure healthcare for every Texas child.”
Her response highlighted what is likely to become a central Democratic argument during the campaign: that Abbott is focused on ideological battles while Texans face practical economic challenges.
Looking Ahead
Friday’s speech offered a comprehensive preview of Abbott’s political and legislative priorities heading into the 2026 election cycle. From immigration enforcement and election reforms to property tax restrictions and local government oversight, the governor signaled that Republicans intend to campaign on many of the same issues that have defined Texas politics over the past decade.
At the same time, Abbott’s repeated calls for party unity and grassroots mobilization reflected an awareness of the challenges Republicans may face in a midterm environment shaped by national political debates and economic concerns.
Some of Abbott’s proposals immediately received praise from conservative activists. Longtime Republican consultant Luke Macias thanked the governor for “standing alongside the grassroots and leading” on the effort to close Texas primaries.
As delegates prepare to adopt a new slate of legislative priorities, Abbott’s convention address leaves little doubt about the direction he hopes the party will take. Whether those priorities resonate with voters beyond the GOP faithful will be one of the defining questions of Texas politics in the months ahead.
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