Challenges in the Life of Greg Abbott in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Greg Abbott's life and career.

Greg Abbott is the current and 48th Governor of Texas, serving since 2015. A Republican, he previously served as the Texas Attorney General from 2002 to 2015 and as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court from 1996 to 2001. He is currently the longest-serving incumbent governor in the United States.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 14, 1984: Abbott Paralyzed in Accident

On July 14, 1984, at the age of 26, Greg Abbott was paralyzed below the waist when an oak tree fell on him while he was jogging in River Oaks, Houston, after a storm. He underwent extensive rehabilitation and has used a wheelchair ever since.

July 2013: Allegations of Improper Ties to Cancer Institute

In July 2013, the Houston Chronicle alleged improper ties and oversight between many of Greg Abbott's largest donors and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, of which he was a director.

2014: Abbott defended Texas's ban on same-sex marriage

In 2014, Greg Abbott, as attorney general of Texas, defended the state's ban on same-sex marriage, arguing that it incentivized children being born in stable, lasting relationships, despite a federal court ruling it unconstitutional. The ban was later deemed unconstitutional.

2014: United States Chamber of Commerce Sessions

In early 2014, Greg Abbott participated in sessions held at the headquarters of the United States Chamber of Commerce to devise a legal strategy to dismantle climate change regulations.

September 25, 2015: Temporary Injunction Order on Therapy Rate Cuts

On September 25, 2015, litigation obtained a temporary injunction order, barring the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (THHSC) from implementing therapy rate cuts.

October 2016: Explosive Package Mailed to Abbott

In October 2016, explosive packages were mailed to Greg Abbott, President Obama, and the commissioner of the Social Security Administration. Abbott's package did not explode because of how he opened it.

January 27, 2017: Federal Judge Rules Against Texas Abortion Remains Law

On January 27, 2017, a federal judge ruled against the Texas law requiring facilities that perform abortions to bury or cremate the remains, but the State of Texas vowed to appeal the ruling.

May 27, 2017: CEOs of Tech Companies Urged Abbott to Reject "Bathroom Bill"

On May 27, 2017, CEOs of 14 major technology companies, including Facebook, Apple Inc., Microsoft, and Amazon.com, sent a letter to Greg Abbott urging him not to pass the "bathroom bill," which would require individuals to use bathrooms corresponding to the sex listed on their birth certificates.

2017: Abbott Signed House Bill 3859 Allowing Faith-Based Groups to Deny Services

Also in 2017, Abbott signed House Bill 3859, allowing faith-based groups working with the Texas child welfare system to deny services "under circumstances that conflict with the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs." Critics argued this could lead to discrimination, and California added Texas to a list of states banning official government travel in response.

2017: Abbott Signed Legislation Allowing Adoption Agencies to Refuse Same-Sex Families

In 2017, Abbott signed legislation that allowed taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to refuse same-sex families the right to adopt children based on religious reasons. This event created controversy and debate regarding LGBTQ+ rights and religious freedom.

April 2018: Texas Voter Purge Canceled After Challenges

In April 2018, a purge of nearly 100,000 registered voters from Texas voter rolls was canceled after voting rights groups challenged it. Texas officials had initially claimed the voters were not U.S. citizens, but the Office of the Texas Secretary of State admitted that tens of thousands of legal voters (naturalized citizens) were wrongly flagged for removal.

2018: Response to Santa Fe High School Shooting

In 2018, after the Santa Fe High School shooting, Abbott consulted across Texas to prevent gun violence in schools, stating at an NRA convention that "The problem is not guns, it's hearts without God".

June 2019: Criticized Austin's Homeless Ordinance

In June 2019, after the city of Austin repealed a ban on homeless people camping in public, Abbott sent a letter to Austin's mayor criticizing the ordinance and threatening to deploy state resources.

June 2019: Emails Show Abbott Drove Voter Purge Effort

In June 2019, emails were released indicating that Abbott was the driving force behind a controversial effort to purge nearly 100,000 registered voters from Texas voter rolls. Abbott had previously claimed he played no role in the voter purge.

August 2019: El Paso Shooting Response

In August 2019, after a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso where 22 people were killed, Abbott convened a domestic terrorism task force but opposed a red-flag law and a special session to address gun violence.

May 1, 2020: End of Abbott's Stay-at-Home Order

Greg Abbott's stay-at-home order during the COVID-19 pandemic ended on May 1, 2020. It lasted from April 2 and was one of the shortest stay-at-home orders implemented by any governor.

July 2020: Abbott Directs Counties to Wear Masks

In July 2020, Greg Abbott directed counties with more than 20 COVID-19 cases to wear masks in public places, after previously prohibiting local governments from mandating face masks. His response to the pandemic was criticized on both sides of the political spectrum.

September 2020: Abbott Limited Ballot Drop-Off Locations and Extended Early Voting

In September 2020, Greg Abbott issued a proclamation limiting each Texas county to one location for early voting ballot drop-offs, citing the need to prevent "illegal voting" without providing examples of voter fraud. Also in September 2020, Abbott extended the early voting period for that year's general election because of COVID-19, a decision opposed by the Republican Party of Texas.

December 2020: Abbott Directs Restaurants to Ignore Local Curfews

In December 2020, Greg Abbott directed Texas restaurants to ignore local curfews imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during New Year's weekend.

2020: Abbott Prioritized "Election Integrity" Legislation

In 2020, Abbott made "election integrity" a legislative priority following President Trump's failed attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election. These attempts used claims that the results were fraudulent. Voting rights advocates and civil rights groups criticized the resulting legislation, asserting it disproportionately affected voters of color and people with disabilities.

2020: Scott aided Trump in efforts to throw out election results

In 2020, John Scott, who would later be appointed as Texas secretary of state by Abbott in 2021, assisted then-President Trump in his unsuccessful attempts to invalidate the results of the presidential election.

February 2021: Abbott Calls for ERCOT Reforms

In February 2021, following a winter storm and power crisis in Texas, Governor Abbott called for reforms to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and signed a bill requiring power plant weatherization.

March 2, 2021: Abbott Lifts All COVID-19 Restrictions in Texas

On March 2, 2021, Greg Abbott lifted all COVID-19 restrictions in Texas, including ending the mask mandate and allowing businesses to reopen "100 percent".

April 2021: Abbott Bans Vaccine Passports for State Agencies and Corporations

In April 2021, Greg Abbott signed an executive order banning state agencies and corporations that take public funding from requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

June 2021: Abbott Punishes Businesses Requiring Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination

In June 2021, Greg Abbott signed a bill that would punish businesses that require customers to have proof of COVID-19 vaccination for services.

July 2021: Ordered Arrests of Migrants for Trespassing

In July 2021, Abbott directed law enforcement to arrest illegal migrants for trespassing, ordered the National Guard to assist, and restricted ground transportation of migrants. Migrants faced weeks of imprisonment without legal help.

July 2021: Texas Democrats Fled to Block Election Bill

In July 2021, Democratic lawmakers in the Texas legislature fled the state to Washington, D.C., to block the passage of a bill that would reform the state election procedures. Abbott threatened to have the lawmakers arrested upon their return to Texas.

July 29, 2021: Abbott Issues Executive Order GA-38

On July 29, 2021, Greg Abbott issued a superseding executive order (GA-38) that reinstated earlier orders and imposed additional prohibitions on local governmental officials, state agencies, public universities, and businesses doing business with the state, to prohibit them from adopting measures such as requiring face masks or proof of vaccination status as a condition of service. This order also provided for a $1,000 fine for local officials who adopted inconsistent policies. This order was issued during a worsening pandemic.

August 17, 2021: Abbott Tests Positive for COVID-19

On August 17, 2021, Greg Abbott's office announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He received Regeneron's monoclonal antibody treatment and was reported to be in good health.

2021: Abbott's "Hard Right Turn"

After the regular 2021 session, The New York Times described Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick as "the driving force behind one of the hardest right turns in recent state history."

2021: Texas Power Grid Crisis

During the February 13–17, 2021 North American winter storm, power-plant failures left four million Texas households without power. Abbott called for investigation and reform of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the electric grid operator for most of Texas.

2021: Immigration Claims and COVID

In 2021, Abbott claimed illegal immigrants were invading homes and falsely tweeted that the Biden Administration was releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants with COVID into Texas communities.

2021: Texas Agency Removed LGBTQ Youth Resources

In 2021, following criticism from a Republican primary challenger, the Texas child welfare agency, whose members are appointed by Abbott, removed a webpage with a suicide prevention hotline and other resources for LGBTQ youths.

April 2022: Increased Truck Inspections at Border

In April 2022, Abbott increased inspections of commercial trucks entering from Mexico, causing multi-mile backups and potential spoilage of goods. He canceled the policy on April 15 after criticism from Texas business owners.

May 24, 2022: Uvalde School Shooting

On May 24, 2022, Abbott reported an 18-year-old killed 19 students and 2 teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, carrying a handgun and possibly a Daniel Defense DDM4, an AR-15 style rifle.

2022: Abbott Emphasizes "Culture War" Issues

By his 2022 reelection campaign, Greg Abbott more prominently emphasized "culture war" issues, drawing comparisons to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

2022: Abbott Directed Texas Agencies to Treat Gender-Affirming Care as Child Abuse

In 2022, Greg Abbott instructed Texas state agencies to treat gender-affirming medical treatments for transgender youths, such as puberty blockers or hormone treatments, as child abuse.

June 2023: Deployed Floating Barriers in Rio Grande

In June 2023, Abbott deployed floating barriers in the Rio Grande to deter illegal border crossings, leading to a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department after he refused to remove them.