Abbott was first elected to the office in 2014. He was sworn into office on January 20, 2015, replacing predecessor Rick Perry (R).

As governor, he is a member of the National Governors Association, the Western Governors' Association, the Southern Governors' Association and the Republican Governors Association.

Abbott resigned from the State Supreme Court in 2001 to seek the open attorney general's seat up for election the following year. He was elected in 2002, becoming the second Republican to hold the office since Reconstruction. Abbott was re-elected as the 50th attorney general of Texas in 2006 and 2010.