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Archive photo · 16 February 2017Gregg Abbott Concedes Texas Governor Race to Democrat Gina Hinojosa
11 Western Mainstream4 Local Western4 Other3 Other source typesPhoto: LBJ Library from Austin / US federal government, Public domain · Cropped for layout
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Gina Hinojosa defeats incumbent Greg Abbott in Texas governor race. Hinojosa becomes Texas's first Latina governor and first Democratic governor in decades.
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Hinojosa defeats Abbott
Democrat Gina Hinojosa was elected Governor of Texas this Tuesday, November 3, during the United States midterm elections, according to projections from American media.
“With 68% of the vote counted, Hinojosa has more than four million votes (57%), compared to nearly three million for Abbott (42%), according to AP.”
Hinojosa defeated outgoing Governor Gregg Abbott, and AP reported that with 68% of the vote counted Hinojosa had more than four million votes (57%), compared to nearly three million for Abbott (42%).
Gregg Abbott conceded the Texas governor’s race to Gina Hinojosa in a speech Tuesday night, and he said, "Leading this state has been the greatest honor I’ve ever had."
The next governor’s term begins in January 2027, and CBS News projected that Hinojosa’s victory made her the first Democrat elected governor of Texas in more than three decades.
Hinojosa became the third woman to serve as governor of Texas, following Ann Richards and Miriam A. Ferguson.
Campaign themes and messages
NBC News projected that Hinojosa defeated Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a three-term Republican, and the network said the result wrested control of the red-state governorship from Republicans for the first time since 1995.
Hinojosa pledged that one of her first actions as governor would be to fire the state’s education commissioner, citing declining student performances across Texas.
Hinojosa also criticized Abbott on data centers, and NBC News said Texas is home to over 500 data centers thus far.
In a campaign ad response, Hinojosa said, "They want to run an entire campaign saying that I’m too woke," and she added, "I plan to spend an entire campaign focused on the fact that working people are too broke."
Hinojosa countered culture-war attacks with an ad declaring her pronouns: "Mom, Texan and soon-to-be governor".
What the win changes
CBS News projected that Hinojosa’s victory ended a Republican hold on the Texas governor’s office that began in January 1995, when George W. Bush succeeded Richards.
“Hinojosa is expected to take office in January 2027.”
The winner of the governor’s race would have the power to sign or veto legislation, recommend a state budget and make appointments across state government, including the education commissioner.
The winner’s ability to carry out their agenda would depend on the Texas Legislature, which would likely remain under Republican control.
Austin Bussing, an assistant professor of political science at Trinity University, said, "I think the central question is about affordability and which candidate is going to be able to bring down the cost of living."
Abbott’s education approach championed the school voucher program created in 2025, while Hinojosa opposed vouchers and state takeovers of local school districts.