Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
49.8%
Texas Democratic Governor nominee?
$14.3K
MAR 4, 2026
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFarmer
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
LocationTexas
BackgroundFarmer
Notable personal detailsBobby Cole is a Texas Democratic candidate for governor. He is a farmer/rancher and poultry producer from Quitman, Texas, and previously worked as a firefighter, retiring as a lieutenant from the Plano Fire Department. His campaign describes him as a pro-worker Democrat focused on economic issues, public education funding, and property taxes.
SourcesShowHide
coleforgovernor.comnews-journal.comdallasnews.comkltv.comlinktr.eekwtx.comksstradio.comteachthevote.atpe.orgbluevoterguide.orgen.wikipedia.orggcdptx.orglrl.texas.govtelemundolubbock.comtransparencyusa.orgapnews.comthedailybeast.comreddit.comco.red-river.tx.ustylerpaper.comstylemagazine.comballotready.orgstore.coleforgovernor.comcole.house.govelliscountydemocraticparty.comkxii.comwearemitu.comww.twstalker.comballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgassets.apnews.comnga.orgwikidata.orgfec.govhistory.house.govcongress.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports using new state revenue (including legalized marijuana sales) to lower property taxes and increase homestead exemptions, raising the minimum wage, protecting workers’ rights, expanding Medicaid, and increasing state investment in education and services.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to healthcare by immediately expanding Medicaid in Texas, protecting and increasing support for rural hospitals, and ensuring reproductive healthcare access. Advocates state investment to bring federal health dollars to Texas and broader healthcare access measures as part of a campaign agenda. Emphasizes protecting reproductive freedom and using Medicaid expansion to reduce uninsured rates and prevent rural hospital closures.
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Immigration & Border
Supports treating immigration as a federal responsibility while opposing performative, enforcement-focused actions by state leaders; favors practical solutions to control the border and creating a legal process that works for Texas and its economy rather than villainizing people.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports restoring and protecting reproductive freedom so women can make healthcare decisions with their families and doctors without government interference; affirms access to abortion as part of adequate healthcare.
Climate & Energy
The candidate affirms that climate change is real, supports protecting water/air/land, calls for grid winterization and modernization, and says Texas should not abandon either renewable energy or oil and gas while remaining a leader in the global energy future. Policy language emphasizes reliability and a mixed energy mix rather than aggressive emissions targets or phasing out fossil fuels.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate identifies as a gun owner and says he will not infringe on Second Amendment rights while supporting measures to improve safety, including legislation that most gun owners already support. He emphasizes fostering safety and security for Texans, including protecting children from violence.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Bobby Cole is in the news as Texas’ 2026 primary election gets underway and polls have opened. Early voting has been high, with about 2.5 million Texans casting ballots before Election Day and Democrats outpacing Republicans in early voting. The U.S. Senate race is a major driver of the turnout.
coleforgovernor.com+40
Polls
Texas Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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