Attorney General Greg Abbott

Greg Abbott served as Attorney General of Texas from 2002 to 2015, where his tenure could be characterized by his robust defense of conservative principles and a proactive approach to legal issues impacting the state. Abbott decided to run in 2002 for Attorney General of Texas after John Cornyn vacated office. Greg Abbott was sworn in on December 2, 2002, when he defeated Kirk Watson the former Mayor of Austin, Texas. As the chief legal officer, Abbott focused on upholding the rule of law and protecting Texas’ interests through various legal battles.

Abbott led Texas in numerous high-profile legal challenges against federal policies, including lawsuits against Obamacare and the Environmental Protection Agency. Greg Abbott famously stated "I go into the office in the morning, I sue Barack Obama, and then I go home." with a record of 31 lawsuits delivered against the Obama administration. On November 21, 2005, Abbott took the fight to Sony BMG, in what is known as the Sony CD protection rootkit scandal. The lawsuit pertained to a violation of the Consumer Protection Against Computer Spyware Act of 2005.

Arguably Greg Abbott's most heartfelt victory as Attorney General came in March 2005 where he successfully defended the 10 Commandments monument situated on the Texas Capitol Grounds. Greg Abbott passionately delivered an oral argument in the Van Orden v Perry case before the US Supreme Court. During Abbot's testimony, he successfully raised the relevance of the monument as it was representative of a historically recognized system of law.

Upon the successful 5-4 verdict delivered by the US Supreme Court, finding no violation of the First Amendment regarding the Establishment Clause, cemented Abbott's stewardship as Attorney General. In further recognition of Abbott's fine defense Justice John Paul Stevens remarked "I want to thank you for demonstrating that it's not necessary to stand at the lectern in order to do a fine job." a noteworthy commentary considering Abbott's wheelchair capacity.