Gina Hinojosa Wins Texas Governor’s Race, Ending GOP’s Long Hold on Office

Democrat state Rep. Gina Hinojosa won the Texas governor’s race Tuesday, defeating Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in the Nov. 3 general election. 

With 86% of votes counted, Hinojosa received 52.8% of the vote to Abbott’s 45.7%, according to Decision Desk HQ, which called the race at midnight.

The victory makes Hinojosa the first Democrat elected governor of Texas since Ann Richards won the office in 1990. Richards left office in January 1995 after losing her reelection bid to Republican George W. Bush. 

“We shocked the world tonight,” Hinojosa said in her victory speech. “I have spoken to Governor Abbott. He called to congratulate me. He extended a generous offer to assist with the transition.” 

“I stand before you, humbled and grateful, and in awe of the incredible grace and power of God and of Texas,” Hinojosa added.

Abbott, in his concession speech, said, “I let Gina know that I would assist her and her team in a period of transition. But I also want everybody to know that the thing I’m most proud about is that you all helped me to be your governor for 12 years.” 

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“I love our state. It has been an honor to serve it. And I know that we are leaving  Texas in far better shape than it has ever been,” Abbott added.

Hinojosa’s win marks a change in state leadership after Abbott served as governor since January 2015. She is scheduled to take office in January 2027. 

Hinojosa, who has served in the Texas Legislature since 2017, built her campaign around public education, affordability, and criticisms of Abbott’s policy record. 

Hinojosa’s campaign was a stark contrast to Abbott’s, as she opposed the state’s private school voucher program and called for increased investment in public schools. Hinojosa’s campaign website says she would end the state’s school voucher system.

She also said she would give a one-time payment of $1,500 to Texas households to address rising costs. Her proposal calls for one-time $1,500 refund checks to every Texas Household.

She has attempted to come off as a moderate with her positions on the border and has criticized Abbott on his approach to public education. 

However, Abbott’s campaign continually criticized Hinojosa’s legislative record on taxes and public safety.

A Shift in Leadership 

Abbott’s defeat represents a significant change in Texas politics, with Democrats taking control of the governor’s office after more than three decades without winning a gubernatorial election. 

Republicans have held the governor’s office since Bush took office in 1995. Abbott took office in 2015 and was reelected in 2018 and 2022. 

Abbott was first elected as governor in 2014 and has remained a central figure in Texas Republican politics. During his time in office, his administration emphasized border security, public safety, tax relief, and conservative education policies. His latest campaign centered on border security, affordability, public education, and reducing property taxes.

Education has also remained a prominent talking point in the race, where Abbott said he supported expanding school choice and parental rights in education.

The outcome also raises questions for many about the direction of state policy, particularly on education, taxes, border security, and the relationship between the governor’s office and the Republican-controlled state Legislature. 

Hinojosa will take office in January 2027, ahead of the next regular legislative session. 

Her administration will face the challenge of advancing its policy priorities through a Legislature whose members and party ties will shape which proposals will become law.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 1:04 a.m. on Wednesday.