
Gov.-elect Greg Abbott spoke Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Austin about his transition from Texas attorney general to governor.
The election of a new Texas governor usually means the arrival of another Lone Star archetype--boots-wearing, backslapping and big on swagger about the state's outsized importance.
But Republican Greg Abbott is a different brand of top Texan.
Abbott, who scored a resounding 20-point victory over Democrat Wendy Davis, has a lower-key persona than his predecessors of the last two decades.
Democrats say they hope Abbott is less interested in divisive partisan battles than outgoing Gov. Rick Perry; some Republicans say they hope he is less likely to turn off certain voters, particularly Hispanics.
Abbott has said he wants the state to invest more in pre-K education and roads. Lawmakers say his detail-oriented approach may help him get more done in the Legislature than previous governors.