Hinojosa wins Texas governorship, ending 31-year Democratic drought
The former union lawyer takes office in January after defeating opponents in a state that last elected a Democrat to the top job in 1995.
By Ibrahim Howard ·
Gina Hinojosa became the first Latina to govern Texas, securing a victory that ends a 31-year run of Republican control over the state's top executive office. The next Democratic governor was last elected in 1995. Hinojosa is scheduled to assume the role in January.
Hinojosa, a Chicana and civil rights attorney, was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and worked as a union lawyer before entering politics. Her background in labor and civil rights law has shaped her approach to governance, according to campaign materials.
The election results revealed distinct voting patterns among different demographic groups. Hinojosa received a higher share of support from Black men and women, who are historically reliable Democratic voters, than she did from Hispanic voters. Hispanic voters were more evenly divided in their support for the candidates.
Angelica Bolanos of Somos Tejas described the reaction in North Texas as emotional. "I think I might start crying again," Bolanos said. Elba Garcia, the first Latina commissioner in Dallas County, noted that Hinojosa will take the state to the next level of representation. Garcia cited Ann Richards as a personal inspiration and expressed joy at witnessing this change.
Hinojosa shared a personal motivation for her run. "I can't help but think of my grandmother, Grandma Hinojosa, who used to tell me: no te dejes," Hinojosa said. The phrase translates to "don't give up." Thaiss Loaeza of Somos Tejas said the victory feels empowering for children of immigrants who see the election as a milestone for representation.
Bolanos noted that approximately 40 percent of the Texas population identifies as Latino. "We finally have the representation," Bolanos said. However, Loaeza emphasized that the win brings expectations for policy action. The organization Somos Tejas has prioritized restoring in-state college tuition for undocumented students.
"You know, it's one thing to say you're Latina, it's another thing to like make sure that Latino communities are all protected in the same," Loaeza said. She stressed the importance of solidarity among communities of color. "One of the biggest things is community, and it's not just saying community within us Latinos. It's like community is people of color. We have each other's backs and that's what makes me happy," Loaeza said.
