June 24, 2025 – Democrat Bobby Cole, an East Texas dairy farmer, retired firefighter (Plano FD lieutenant), and poultry producer, has officially launched his campaign for Governor of Texas, challenging incumbent Republican Greg Abbott. Cole lives in Quitman, having been born near Houston and later moving to East Texas, where he now runs a 1,000-acre operation raising cattle and over a million chickens annually.
Cole’s announcement came on June 23 via video on social media, where he criticized Abbott for siding with “bullies and billionaires” and claimed the governor has “tearing up everything Texans have built”. He positions himself as a “fighter” for working families and suggests that Abbott has failed to address key issues like property taxes, grid reliability, school funding, and healthcare access.
As a first-time candidate, Cole leans into his outsider status, drawing on his background in public safety and agriculture. His multi-generational ties to rural Texas—living and working in Quitman—aim to ground his message of common-sense leadership and pragmatic problem-solving.
Cole becomes the first Democrat in the 2026 gubernatorial primary to enter the race, seeking to offer a contrast to Abbott’s conservative legacy. Observers note he faces a steep uphill battle: Abbott remains a dominant political force with strong fundraising advantage. However, Cole hopes his life story and message of populist change will gain traction as the campaign unfolds.
