How are gubernatorial campaigns and elections conducted in Texas?
• The constitutional requirements for becoming governor includes being at least thirty years of age, being a U.S. citizen, and living in the state for five years before the election. • Texas governors have traditionally been white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant, conservative Democrat males. • Texas has elected two women to the governor’s office: Miriam (“Ma”) Ferguson and Ann Richards. • William Clements became the first Republican to be elected since Reconstruction, and George W. Bush became the first two-term Republican governor since Reconstruction. • A campaign for the governor’s office can cost $25 to $30 million, which means that the governor must have access to a significant amount of campaign funds—his or her own or from supporters. • The term for governor was increased from two years to four years in 1974, with most governors elected to serve a maximum of two terms. • Gubernatorial elections are held in off-year elections to minimize the impact of the presidential election on the go
