Texas places no term limits on its governor. A governor serves a four-year term and can run for reelection as many times as they want, which makes Texas one of only 13 states where the office has no cap on total service.
The term was not always four years. Under the 1845 constitution, the governor served two years and could not hold the office more than four years out of any six. Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1972 that lengthened the term to four years, and the first governor elected under that change took office in January 1975.1Justia Law. Texas Constitution Art 4 – Sec 4 – Installation of Governor; Term; Eligibility Proposals to add a cap have come up since. A 2013 joint resolution would have limited statewide officeholders to two consecutive terms, but it did not pass.2Texas Legislature Online. 83(R) SJR 13 – Introduced Version – Bill Analysis
Who Can Run for Governor
The constitutional requirements are short. A candidate must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a Texas resident for at least five years immediately before the election.1Justia Law. Texas Constitution Art 4 – Sec 4 – Installation of Governor; Term; Eligibility There is no education requirement, no prior-office requirement, and no upper age limit.
When Texas Elects a Governor
Texas holds its gubernatorial elections in midterm years — the even-numbered years without a presidential race. The next elections fall in 2026, 2030, and 2034.3Ballotpedia. Governor of Texas The winner is installed on the first Tuesday after the legislature organizes, or as soon afterward as practicable.1Justia Law. Texas Constitution Art 4 – Sec 4 – Installation of Governor; Term; Eligibility
How Texas Compares to Other States
Thirty-seven states impose some kind of limit on how long a governor can serve. The most common structure is two consecutive four-year terms, followed by at least one cycle out of office before running again. Nine states go further, with a lifetime ban after two terms. Texas is in the minority of 13 states with no limit at all. New Hampshire and Vermont also lack limits, but their governors serve two-year terms, so long tenures there require many more election wins.
The Longest-Serving Texas Governors
With no cap in place, some governors have built unusually long tenures. Rick Perry holds the state record. He became governor in December 2000 when George W. Bush resigned to become president, then won three elections of his own. When he left office on January 20, 2015, he had served 14 years and one month, placing him among the ten longest-serving governors in American history.4National Governors Association. Rick Perry
Greg Abbott, the current governor, was first elected in 2014 and won a third term in 2022.5Office of the Texas Governor. About Gov. Abbott If he finishes that term in January 2027 and wins again, he could pass Perry.
How a Term Can End Early
Two things can cut a governor’s service short: succession and impeachment.
If the governor dies, resigns, or becomes permanently unable to serve, the lieutenant governor becomes governor for the remainder of the term. The constitution says the lieutenant governor “become[s] Governor” — not acting governor — and holds the office outright until the next scheduled election. If the lieutenant governor is also unable to serve while exercising the powers of the office, the president pro tempore of the Texas Senate takes over temporarily until one of them can resume.6State of Texas. Article 4 – Executive Department
Time served as a successor governor does not start any term-limit clock, because there is no clock. A lieutenant governor who inherits the office can run for a full term immediately and keep running after that. Perry’s record-length service worked that way: he inherited four years, then won three elections in a row.
Impeachment is the other route. The Texas House has the sole power to bring impeachment charges. If the House impeaches, the Senate sits as a court of impeachment and holds a trial, and a two-thirds vote of the senators present is required to convict and remove.7Justia Law. Texas Constitution Art 15 – Impeachment The House can begin proceedings during any regular or special session, and if the legislature is not in session, the speaker can convene members on a petition of 50 or more representatives. Both chambers can compel testimony and subpoena documents with the same enforcement power as a district court.8State of Texas. Government Code Chapter 665 – Impeachment and Removal
Only one Texas governor has ever been removed this way. James “Pa” Ferguson was convicted by the Senate in 1917 on charges related to misuse of public funds, and his removal included a ban on holding future state office.