Greg Abbott has been the Governor of Texas since January 20, 2015. As of November 5, 2026, he has served for nearly 12 years. He remains in office following his election loss and is expected to leave on January 19, 2027, when Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa is scheduled to take over.
Abbott won three consecutive terms before losing his bid for a fourth in the November 2026 election. His departure will mark Texas’s first change of governor since he took office in 2015.
When Did Greg Abbott Become Governor?
Abbott became the 48th governor of Texas on January 20, 2015, after winning the 2014 election. He went on to win reelection in 2018 and again in 2022.
Those three victories kept him in office through the following terms:
| Term | Years in office |
|---|---|
| First term | 2015–2019 |
| Second term | 2019–2023 |
| Third term | 2023–2027, scheduled |
His third term is due to end in January 2027. If the handover takes place as scheduled, Abbott will leave office one day before the 12th anniversary of his first inauguration.
How Many Terms Did Greg Abbott Serve?
Abbott won three four-year terms as Texas governor. He sought a fourth term in 2026 but lost to Democratic state Representative Gina Hinojosa.
As of November 5, his third term is still underway. That means “Abbott has served for nearly 12 years” is more accurate than saying his time as governor has already ended.
Did Greg Abbott Lose the 2026 Election?
Yes. Hinojosa defeated Abbott in the November 3, 2026, governor’s election, according to CBS News’s projection. The result ended his campaign for another four years in office.
However, Election Day and the end of a governor’s term are separate dates. Abbott remains governor during the transition, while Hinojosa prepares to take office in January.
When Will Greg Abbott Leave Office?
Abbott is expected to leave office on January 19, 2027. Hinojosa is scheduled to be sworn in that day.
The dates below show the difference between his election defeat and his expected departure:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Abbott first took office | January 20, 2015 |
| Abbott lost his fourth-term bid | November 3, 2026 |
| Scheduled transfer of power | January 19, 2027 |
Abbott’s total time in office will therefore be just under 12 years if the transition happens as scheduled.
Who Will Replace Greg Abbott?
Gina Hinojosa is set to become the next governor of Texas, USA. Her victory puts her on course to become the state’s first Latina governor.
For readers asking how long Abbott “was” governor, the key point is that his tenure has not ended yet. He began serving in January 2015 and remains in office as of this article’s publication date, with the handover scheduled for January 2027.
Updated November 5, 2026. This article distinguishes between Abbott’s election loss and the scheduled end of his term. The January 2027 transfer of power has not yet taken place. Read the latest updated news here.
