Republican contenders for president are making the rounds in key battleground states across the country, but someone you will not see campaigning is Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas. 

Many wondered whether he would jump into the race for president, but Abbott is instead dealing with state issues. It seems there is another leader of a heavily populated Republican state that's been capturing national attention: Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. Both handily won reelection last November. 

What You Need To Know

  • Republican contenders for president are making their rounds in key battleground states across the country but not Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas 

  • He's instead been dealing with state issues while being upstaged by another leader of a heavily populated Republican state: Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida

  • "We've seen the two governors going back and forth on the kinds of policies they pushed through in their states," Rebecca Deen, associate dean at the University of Texas at Arlington, told Spectrum News

  • It may be that for the first time in decades, no Texan will run in a presidential election cycle, but Republican strategists believe Abbott's political future is not over

Through their respective legislative sessions, each governor seemingly tried to one-up the other in appealing to their base, by banning books, limiting diversity programs at universities and sending migrants to other parts of the country.  

"We've seen the two governors going back and forth on the kinds of policies they pushed through in their states," Rebecca Deen, associate dean at the University of Texas at Arlington, told Spectrum News.

There was much speculation that both leaders would jump into the 2024 presidential election race, but only DeSantis officially announced and emerged as the top challenger to former President Donald Trump. 

"Gov. DeSantis has captured that lane of folks who espouse former President Trump's policies, appeal to his voters, but have maybe a less problematic history than former President Trump," Deen said. "But there's really, I think, not a lot of opportunity for Governor Abbott to find space in that crowded field." 

Abbott has a different style and rhetoric and remains busy with an extended legislative session aimed at fulfilling some remaining conservative priorities like property tax cuts and human trafficking penalties. 

While the two state legislatures operate differently, DeSantis wrapped up business in Tallahassee with less resistance. 

"I do a fair amount of work in Tallahassee, and what I'll tell you is that I think DeSantis' approach to this legislative session had the goal of announcing a candidacy at the end of it," Hans Klingler, a Republican political consultant, told Spectrum News.

"Gov. Abbott, I don't think, went into this legislative session necessarily with that as his as his main function and form and goal," he added. 

It may be that for the first time in decades, no Texan will run in a presidential election cycle, but Republican strategists believe Abbott's political future is not over. 

“Abbott right now is going to stay laser focused on his legislative priorities and maybe see those through.” Klingler said. "If he is able to make this a reality, his priorities a reality, it's a heck of a lot better political lily pad to leap from, from there, than it is from where he is right now.”

And even if a Texas lawmaker doesn't run, the Republican path to the White House goes through the Lone Star State.