You’ve probably noticed the posted signs, the countless ads flashing across the TV, the automated phone calls that say to “Please go vote for me!” and it’s clear that it’s election time in Texas.

October 2014 means that the race for Texas governor is heating up in time for the November 4^th election date. So how much do you know about your candidates and issues?

Just to catch you up, the 2014 gubernatorial race marks the first open election since Rick Perry was first elected as governor in 1990. This means the introduction of a new republican candidate, Greg Abbott, as well as a democratic candidate, Wendy Davis. Each candidate has a platform of issues that they underline.

Wendy Davis served on the Fort Worth City Council after graduating with honors from Harvard Law School. After serving nine years on the City Council, she was elected to the Senate in 2008. She emphasizes the importance of education and how everybody should have equal access to it. She also campaigns for women’s rights with equal pay, public safety, and immigration reform. As governor, she plans to fight to increase the minimum wage and Medicaid expansion.

Greg Abbott is the conservative Attorney General of Texas who has been known to fight to defend the constitution. He graduated from the University of Texas with a finance major and obtained a law degree from Vanderbilt University. Aside from defending the United States constitution, Greg Abbott emphasizes his plans to challenge ObamaCare, fight against the overreach of the federal government in the state, and enforce stricter border security.

No matter your age, gender, or political party you support, it’s important that you keep track of the issues at hand in the state of Texas, and know the facts about who will represent you for the next four years.