Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeats Gov. Greg Abbott, ending decades of Republican rule in Texas
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Gina Hinojosa won Texas' gubernatorial race, breaking more than 30 years of Republican dominance and becoming the state's first Latina governor as well as its first Democratic governor since 1995.
Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in the Texas governor's race, according to an Associated Press call, delivering a historic rebuke to a political establishment that has dominated the state for more than three decades. The victory ends more than 30 years of Republican control of the office. Hinojosa, a 52-year-old Austin state representative and former school board president, is set to take office in January 2027. She will be the first Latina to serve as Texas governor and the first Democrat since Ann Richards left office in 1995.
Hinojosa's campaign centered public education, household costs and sharp criticism of state Republican policies, including opposition to Abbott's private-school voucher program launched in 2026 with $1 billion in tax funding. She pledged to replace Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath with an educator, signaling a break from policies critics say have favored private interests over public schools. Abbott, 68, had campaigned on lowering property taxes and enhancing border security.
Political analysts noted the significance of the outcome. > "A win by Hinojosa would be perceived as an earthquake after decades of Republican statewide victories," said David Crockett, a political science professor at Trinity University. He added that the new governor will likely face a Republican-led legislature, making the passage of legislation challenging. > "If Democrats win in Texas in 2026, it will be because of anger at the federal government and at Donald Trump," said Nancy Sims, a political science lecturer at the University of Houston.