Gina Hinojosa Defeats Greg Abbott to Become Texas Governor

Gina Hinojosa has won the Texas gubernatorial race.

The Associated Press called the race for the Democrat, ending a period of continuous Republican control that lasted more than three decades. This result prevents incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott from securing a fourth term in office.

Hinojosa, 52, will take the oath of office in January 2027. She will serve as the first Latina governor in the state's history. She also becomes the first Democratic governor since Ann Richards left office in 1995.

Her campaign focused on public education and the rising costs of living for families. Hinojosa, a former Austin school board president, opposed the private-school voucher program that began in 2026. That program allocated $1 billion in tax dollars to students attending private institutions. She pledged to replace Education Commissioner Mike Morath with a professional educator.

Abbott, 68, campaigned on lowering property taxes and improving state safety. He pointed to his efforts to secure the border as a key achievement. Hinojosa criticized the state's Republican leadership throughout the election cycle.

Political scientists predicted this outcome would signal a major shift in the state. David Crockett, a political science professor at Trinity University in San Antonio, described the win as an earthquake. He noted that Hinojosa will likely face a Republican-led legislature. Crockett said passing meaningful legislation will require finding common ground, a task he described as difficult.

Nancy Sims, a political science lecturer at the University of Houston, suggested the victory reflects voter frustration. She stated that a Democratic breakthrough in Texas stems from anger at the federal government and Donald Trump.