AUSTIN, Texas — On the same day that he announced Samsung’s plan to construct a $17 billion chip manufacturing plant in Taylor, Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott made his 2022 re-election bid official.

The Republican governor was elected to the office in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018. He served as Texas attorney general from 2002 to 2015 and was a member of the Texas Supreme Court from 1996 to 2001.

Also filing for the office on Tuesday was former Florida congressman and former Texas GOP Chairman Allen West.

The Texas gubernatorial primary is set for March 1, 2022, and the primary runoff is slated for May 24, 2022. The general election will be held on Nov. 8, 2022.

The deadline to file is Dec. 13, 2021.

Recent polling has Abbott well ahead of his primary challengers.

Last week, former Texas Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke announced his campaign for governor.

Despite taking some heat for the deadly winter storm that gripped the state in February, a recent poll from the Dallas Morning News and the University of Texas at Tyler shows Abbott currently holds a 6-point lead over O’Rourke. A total 45% of voters polled indicated they would vote for Abbott and 39% indicated they back O’Rourke. Sixteen percent said they would back a different candidate for governor.

Actor and Texas resident Matthew McConaughey remains a wild card in the Texas gubernatorial race. Although some recent polling has him favored over O’Rourke, he has yet to file or even announce party affiliation. The actor this week told The Hollywood Reporter, “I will let you know shortly,” when asked about a potential run.