Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
49.8%
Democrat
Bobby Cole
Democratic candidate for Governor in Texas
Texas Democratic Governor nominee?
$14.3K
MAR 4, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — Texas Democratic Governor nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
1%chance to win
$14.3KMAR 4, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleFarmer
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
LocationTexas
BackgroundFarmer
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Notable personal detailsBobby Aaron Cole is an East Texas farmer and retired firefighter who ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Texas in 2026. His campaign biography describes him as a cattleman and poultry producer and notes he retired from the fire department as a lieutenant after working in Texarkana and Plano. He has presented himself as a pro-worker Democrat focused on issues such as property taxes, public education funding, and health care.
SourcesShowHide
coleforgovernor.comsanantonioreport.orgco.hudspeth.tx.ustransparencyusa.orgtexastribune.orgsos.state.tx.usnewtools.cira.state.tx.uswheelercounty.texas.govco.navarro.tx.usparkercountytx.govtxelectionresults.comballotready.orgmultistate.ussecure.actblue.comstar-telegram.comtexasbar.comtexpolls.comtexasdemocrats.orgen.wikipedia.orgreddit.comstore.coleforgovernor.comtdcj.texas.govtylerpaper.comstylemagazine.comcole.house.govksstradio.comlinktr.eeelliscountydemocraticparty.comkxii.comwearemitu.comww.twstalker.comfacebook.cominstagram.comstatesman.comfox7austin.comcbsaustin.comhoustonchronicle.comnews4sanantonio.comwikidata.orggovinfo.govnga.orgjustfacts.votesmart.org
Political 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.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Bobby Cole is in the news because he is a candidate in Texas as the state’s 2026 primary elections get underway. The primaries are deciding nominees for major statewide and local races, including governor, and voting has been a central focus across the state. More recently, Texas politics has also been shaped by debate over AI data center growth and its impact on power demand and local resources, which is becoming an issue for some Democratic candidates.
coleforgovernor.com+41
Articles
TDThe Dallas Morning News6 months ago
2026 Texas Primary
Neutral
CNCBS News6 months ago
Texas sample ballot for the 2026 primary elections shows every race to vote on this year
Neutral
PPOLITICO6 months ago
Texas saddles up for data center clash
Neutral
F4FOX 4 News6 months ago
Everything Texans should know about voting in the primary
Neutral
Latest Polls
Texas Democratic Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Bobby Cole currently averages 4.8%, ranking second in this race, 45.0 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 4.8%Position: secondMargin: -45.0 ptsLatest poll: 5.0% (Feb 26 - Mar 2)Polls included: 6
Average recalculated from polls through Feb 26 - Mar 2.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising