Bobby Cole is from Quitman, Texas. He has a dairy farm that raises 300 head of cattle and over 1,000,000 chickens a year.

 East Texas rancher running for governor as a Democrat, says he’ll fight for the working man 

Meet the East Texas farmer vying for the governor's seat in 2026

Bobby Cole - Ballotpedia

Bobby Cole is originally from East Texas and moved to Quitman at age seven, where he has resided since. He lives in Quitman with his wife and their children and grandchildren.

Quitman dairy farmer, retired firefighter, announces campaign for governor

Bobby currently works as a farmer and rancher, raising cattle and poultry. He previously worked as a firefighter, retiring at the rank of lieutenant after serving in fire departments in Texarkana and Plano.

Bobby's campaign for Texas governor is his first time running for public office.

East Texas farmer launches 2026 bid to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott

Bobby's campaign for Texas Governor is his first time running for public office.

Why this Texas farmer thinks he can stop Greg Abbott's reelection bid

Supports legalizing marijuana, believing it will create jobs, increase revenues, and assist rural farmers.

Supports raising the minimum wage and protecting workers’ right to unionize.

Supports reducing property taxes and using marijuana tax revenue to offset tax burdens on homeowners.

Supports modernizing and winterizing the power grid to prevent power outages during extreme weather.

Supports farmers and rural economies based on lived experience.

- Supports legalizing marijuana, believing it will create jobs, increase revenues, and assist rural farmers.
- Supports raising the minimum wage and protecting workers’ right to unionize.
- Supports reducing property taxes and using marijuana tax revenue to offset tax burdens on homeowners.
- Supports farmers and rural economies based on lived experience.

Economy

Supports immediate Medicaid expansion to cover uninsured Texans and keep rural hospitals open.

Supports restoring abortion access and limiting government involvement in reproductive decisions.

Supports legalizing marijuana and expunging low-level offenses.

Supports LGBTQ rights and opposes state interference in personal lives.

- Supports immediate Medicaid expansion to cover uninsured Texans and keep rural hospitals open.
- Supports restoring abortion access and limiting government involvement in reproductive decisions.
- Supports legalizing marijuana and expunging low-level offenses.
- Supports LGBTQ rights and opposes state interference in personal lives.

Healthcare

Supports winterizing and modernizing the Texas power grid.

Acknowledges climate change and supports a mixed energy strategy including renewables and oil and gas.

- Supports winterizing and modernizing the Texas power grid.
- Acknowledges climate change and supports a mixed energy strategy including renewables and oil and gas.

Energy & the Environment

States support for Second Amendment rights while endorsing gun safety measures supported by gun owners.

Supports the expungement of low-level offenses for marijuana arrests.

- States support for Second Amendment rights while endorsing gun safety measures supported by gun owners.
- Supports the expungement of low-level offenses for marijuana arrests.

Public Safety

Views immigration as a federal issue and opposes state-level political "theatrics."

Supports expanding and protecting services and support for veterans.

- Views immigration as a federal issue and opposes state-level political "theatrics."
- Supports expanding and protecting services and support for veterans.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Supports increased per-student funding and opposes school vouchers.

Supports raising teacher salaries to competitive national levels.

- Supports increased per-student funding and opposes school vouchers.
- Supports raising teacher salaries to competitive national levels.

Education

As of January 22, 2026, Bobby Cole’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

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Bobby Cole

Bobby Cole currently works as a farmer and rancher, raising cattle and poultry. He previously worked as a firefighter, retiring at the rank of lieutenant after serving in fire departments in Texarkana and Plano.

Wants to use tax revenue from marijuana sales to help reduce property taxes.

Supports using both renewable energy and fossil fuels.

Views immigration as a federal issue and opposes state-level political theatrics.

- Views immigration as a federal issue and opposes state-level political theatrics.
- Supports expanding and protecting services and support for veterans.

Believes immigration is a federal issue and supports practical solutions for border control, opposing "performative theatrics" and villainization of people, and advocating for a legal process that benefits Texans and the economy.

- The governor leads Texas’ executive branch and oversees enforcement of state laws and policies.
- They appoint agency leaders, boards, and commissions, shaping how state government operates.
- They can sign bills into law, veto bills, or allow them to become law without action, and exercise a line-item veto on spending bills.
- They serve a four-year term, elected by popular (plurality) vote, and there are no term limits.
- As of 2025, the governor’s annual salary is about $153,750.
- The governor commands the state’s military forces (Texas Military Forces) when not federalized.
- The governor may grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations with the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.