Texas politics are heating up as State Representative Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat from Austin, has officially launched her campaign to unseat Republican Governor Greg Abbott in the 2026 gubernatorial race. Her announcement on October 15, 2025, has already sent ripples through both parties, as she aims to prevent Abbott from securing a fourth term and to break a decades-long Republican hold on the state’s top office.
Hinojosa’s campaign began with a symbolic return to her roots: a rally in Brownsville, the border city where she was born and raised. "This is the Valley community that raised me and made me the woman I am today," she told an enthusiastic crowd, according to KUT News. Her words resonated with many in the Rio Grande Valley, a region that has become a battleground for both parties in recent election cycles. As she took the stage, supporters chanted "no te dejes," a Spanish call to fight back or defend oneself, echoing her rallying cry and underscoring her commitment to grassroots organizing.
In her campaign launch video, Hinojosa wasted no time laying out her message. "Our fight right now is against the billionaires and corporations who are driving up prices, closing our neighborhood schools and cheating Texans out of basic health care," she said, as reported by CBS Austin and The Texas Tribune. She accused Governor Abbott of prioritizing the interests of wealthy donors and corporations, a theme that would become central to her campaign. Hinojosa argued that Abbott’s school voucher plan would "devastate our schools" and drain essential public funding, a position that has defined her near-decade-long tenure in the Texas Legislature.
Hinojosa’s legislative career began in 2012 when she was elected to the Austin ISD school board, later serving as its president. She was elected to the Texas House in 2016, representing District 49. Throughout her career, she has authored nearly 100 bills and has become one of the Legislature’s most vocal defenders of public education. As she told The Texas Tribune, "Public schools have never been a partisan issue in Texas." She argued that her record shows she is a "champion for neighborhood schools, for families, for affordability—for the things that Texans care about."
Her campaign, however, faces significant challenges. Governor Abbott remains a formidable opponent, boasting a campaign fund exceeding $87 million, a history of double-digit victories in previous gubernatorial races, and a well-oiled political machine. Political science professor Jeronimo Cortina told KUT News, "Governor Abbott just needs to keep doing what he has been doing. He has been a very good campaigner. He has a huge war chest, and he's very supported." Yet, Cortina also noted that public dissatisfaction with the direction of the state could provide an opening for a challenger like Hinojosa.
Hinojosa’s campaign is also navigating a crowded Democratic primary field, which includes Houston businessman Andrew White (son of former Governor Mark White), rancher and retired firefighter Bobby Cole, and Bay City Council member Benjamin Flores. White, while acknowledging Hinojosa’s progressive credentials, argued that Democrats need a candidate who can unite progressives, moderates, and independents to beat Abbott. Despite these internal debates, Hinojosa’s legislative experience gives her an edge in the primary, according to political consultant Joel Montfort: "She has the most experience in state legislation of any Democrat to run for governor in recent history. This will likely give her an edge in the primary against Andrew White, who has no prior experience in government."
One of the key questions surrounding Hinojosa’s candidacy is whether she can help Democrats recapture Hispanic voters, a group that has drifted toward Republicans in recent elections. In 2018, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Lupe Valdez won just 53% of the Hispanic vote, and former President Donald Trump carried the Latino vote in Texas in 2024. Max Moll, a principal with Cornerstone Government Affairs, cautioned against viewing Hispanic voters as a monolithic bloc: "Certainly having a Hispanic surname helps. That's not everything." Still, Hinojosa’s Mexican-American heritage and deep Valley roots could help her connect with these voters in ways previous Democratic candidates have not.
Hinojosa’s campaign is also touting her legislative accomplishments, including passing measures that brought nearly $1 billion in federal funding for indigent healthcare and public education improvements to Texas, as reported by KUT and The Texas Tribune. She has also championed efforts to reduce standardized testing and increase teacher pay, issues that resonate with educators and parents alike. In her interview with The Texas Tribune, she recalled that her decision to enter politics was sparked when her son’s elementary school faced closure due to state budget cuts—a personal story she hopes will connect with families across Texas.
Yet, the financial gap between Hinojosa and Abbott looms large. Hinojosa acknowledged this challenge, telling The Texas Tribune, "You don’t get that kind of cash in your campaign coffers by doing the work of the people. He can have his dirty money, and we will have the people of Texas." Her campaign is betting on grassroots organizing, with plans to host public education town halls in major metro areas and mobilize support from communities often overlooked by statewide campaigns.
Hinojosa’s candidacy has attracted notable endorsements, including from U.S. Senate candidate Colin Allred, who praised her as someone who "has spent her career standing up for Texas families, fighting for our public schools, and defending democracy," according to CBS Austin. Allred’s support could help boost her profile, especially as he prepares his own campaign to challenge Republican Senator John Cornyn in 2026.
Of course, Hinojosa has not been immune to criticism. Abbott’s campaign manager, Kim Snyder, dismissed her as "out of step with Texans," arguing that "Texans deserve a Governor who will continue to secure the border, fight for safer communities and uphold family values—not someone who supports failed, radical policies that hurt hardworking Texans." These attacks highlight the ideological divide that will likely define the general election, should Hinojosa secure the Democratic nomination.
For supporters like Joyce Hamilton of the Northern Cameron County Democrats, Hinojosa’s willingness to stand up to pressure is inspiring. "I just have a whole lot of hope that the state Democratic Party will give her all the support she needs so that she can push through this campaign effectively," Hamilton said at the Brownsville rally, as reported by The Texas Tribune.
If successful, Hinojosa would make history as the first female governor of Texas since Ann Richards and the first Mexican-American to hold the office since the early 1800s. More than just a symbolic victory, her campaign represents a test of whether Democrats can build a coalition broad enough to challenge a well-entrenched Republican incumbent in a rapidly changing Texas.
As the 2026 race begins in earnest, all eyes will be on whether Hinojosa’s grassroots message and legislative experience can overcome the daunting odds and reshape the political landscape of the Lone Star State.
