Texas Gov. Greg Abbott outlined a series of legislative and political priorities on Friday during his keynote address at the state Republican Party convention in Houston, where a live elephant later entered the convention hall as a staged appearance following his speech.
Abbott, who is seeking a fourth term as governor, used his remarks at the Republican Party of Texas State Convention held at the George R. Brown Convention Center to discuss campaign strategy, legislative goals, and party priorities.
He said his campaign would invest heavily in Harris County political races.
“My campaign will spend at least $25 million just in Harris County alone,” Abbott said. “We are going block by block, door to door, and we are going to win up and down the entire ballot.”
Abbott also said he supports closing Texas’ primary system, which currently allows voters to participate in either major party’s primary elections. He aligned his position with party concerns that crossover voting may influence candidate selection.
The Republican Party of Texas has filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s open primary system, arguing it violates First Amendment protections of association.
Abbott reviewed several Republican legislative actions in recent years, including changes to election laws, efforts on property tax policy, and a state ban on gender transition-related medical procedures for minors.
He also outlined new property tax proposals, including a requirement for two-thirds voter approval for municipal tax increases and a reduction in appraisal caps from 10% to 3% annually.
“And we should stop using your homestead to fund education in the state of Texas,” Abbott said. “We must abolish school district property taxes on your homesteads.”
Abbott did not explain how the state would replace school district property tax revenue for public education funding.
He also proposed measures involving artificial intelligence data centers, saying the state would require operators to provide their own power and water usage capacity as part of grid management efforts.
“Over the past five years, we have added 50% more electrical power to the grid,” Abbott said. “Going forward, to better protect the grid, we will require data centers to bring their own power, reuse their own water, and lower the cost of electricity for residents.”
Abbott did not address a party platform proposal calling for increased local government authority over approval of data center projects.
At the conclusion of the event, organizers asked attendees to remain seated for a staged appearance. An elephant then entered the convention hall wearing a shawl bearing a campaign slogan associated with Abbott.