Abbott's Endorsements Trail in GOP Primaries, Poll Shows

Fans of the 1942 classic movie "Casablanca" may remember Humphrey Bogart's character declaring, "I stick my neck out for nobody."

For much of his 11 years as governor, Greg Abbott has lived by the same motto in election years when his name was on the ballot. In Texas, all candidates for statewide office are on their own. Each party's candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run independently. And Texas governors do not have a cabinet in the traditional sense, so agencies such as the Agriculture Department, the Comptroller's Office and the Attorney General's Office are run by people elected by voters and not necessarily by whomever the governor might prefer.

Abbott, who is seeking an unprecedented fourth term, is hoping to change that dynamic this cycle — a gamble that early polling suggests could backfire. A University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll released Tuesday shows Abbott’s preferred candidates trailing in two key Republican primaries.

The governor was quick to endorse Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock in the March 3 Republican primary. Hancock, a former state senator, took over the duties of comptroller with Abbott's blessing in July 2025 after Glenn Hegar vacated his office to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.

In January, the governor took the unusual step of snubbing Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a fellow Republican state officeholder, and throwing his support behind political newcomer Nate Sheets in the primary.

And Abbott is sticking his neck out for Hancock and Sheets. The governor recently invited Sheets, an entrepreneur who made his money in the beekeeping and honey business, to accompany him on a trip to the southern border with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to talk about efforts to control the northward migration of the New World screwworm, which poses a threat to Texas cattle. Miller, whose office is also working to control the flesh-eating parasite, was not part of the event.

Meanwhile, Abbott does all of the talking in a Hancock TV and digital ad, praising him as "a proven conservative leader" who can manage the state's finances, significantly raising Hancock's profile in a down-ballot race that has so far attracted little attention, even as early voting begins Tuesday.

There's little downside for political candidates struggling to become known to lean into their ties with a proven vote-getter like Abbott. The risk for the governor is that one or both candidates could come up short with voters — potentially undercutting his influence during the remainder of the election year and into next year’s legislative session.

There is some evidence that the risk is real. The University of Houston poll shows Abbott's preferred candidates struggling with Republican primary voters.

For Hancock, there's little apparent benefit to his inherited incumbency, according to the poll. Challenger Don Huffines, also a former state senator, leads the crowded field in the comptroller's race with 33% support. Second is Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick, who has won three previous statewide elections, with 21%. Hancock is a distant third with 13% and would not advance to a runoff if no candidate clears an outright majority.

Recall that Huffines unsuccessfully challenged Abbott in the 2022 GOP primary for governor and had some uncharitable things to say about him. Huffines called the governor "a coward" and "a weak leader."

In the agriculture commissioner race, incumbency does appear to be a positive factor. Miller, who has held his office for as long as Abbott has been governor, has a gaping 30-percentage-point lead over Sheets, according to the poll. Miller has been something of a headline magnet over the course of his three terms. He was among the first Texas Republicans to embrace Donald Trump, and he's been forced to repay the state multiple times for taking personal or political trips on the taxpayers' dime.

If both Miller and Abbott win renomination, it's doubtful the governor will have much to say about the agriculture commissioner race heading toward November. But it might be a different story if Hancock becomes the odd candidate out in the comptroller's primary.

Abbott and Craddick have no history of public animosity. So in a runoff between Craddick and Huffines, don't be surprised if we see Abbott stick his neck out one more time.