Gina Hinojosa wins Texas governor's race, ending 31 years of Republican control

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Gina Hinojosa, an Austin state representative, defeated Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, becoming the first Democrat to win the Texas governor's office since Ann Richards left it in 1995. When she takes office in January 2027, she will be the state's first Latina governor.

The win does not hand Democrats control of state government. Republicans are expected to keep both legislative chambers, leaving Hinojosa to push a public-school and cost-of-living agenda against lawmakers who spent a decade backing Abbott's priorities.

Why it matters

Texas is the largest Republican-run state; a Democratic governor there can veto, appoint and set an agenda, but cannot pass laws alone.

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Key Indicators

1st

First Latina elected Texas governor

Hinojosa takes office in January 2027.

$1B

State money in the private-school voucher program

The program began sending public funds to private-school families in 2026; Hinojosa wants it repealed.

$17B

Estimated cost of Hinojosa's $1,500 household payments

Her campaign's proposal would draw from the state Rainy Day Fund and needs legislative approval.

40%+

Share of Texans who are Hispanic

Hinojosa is the first person of Hispanic descent to hold the governor's office.

$8.5B

Public-school funding package Abbott signed in 2025

It included teacher pay raises, special education and school safety money.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Gina Hinojosa

Texas governor-elect; state representative from Austin

Governor-elect, takes office January 2027

Greg Abbott

Republican governor of Texas, 2015–2027

Conceded; leaves office January 2027

James Talarico

U.S. senator-elect from Texas

Won Senate seat on the same night

Mike Morath

Texas education commissioner

Targeted for replacement by Hinojosa

Organizations Involved

Texas Legislature

State legislature

Republican-controlled; will set limits on Hinojosa's agenda

The Texas Legislature meets in regular session in odd-numbered years and holds the power to pass or block the governor's priorities.

Texas Education Agency

State agency

Administers the voucher program and public schools

The state agency oversees Texas public schools and the new private-school voucher program.

Timeline

2025 November 2026

5 events Latest: Yesterday

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
Hinojosa defeats Abbott
Latest Election

The Democrat wins the governor's race, ending three decades of Republican control of the office.
Yesterday
Talarico wins U.S. Senate seat
Election

Democrat James Talarico defeats Republican Ken Paxton, the party's first Senate win since 1988.
Yesterday
2026
Voucher program begins with $1 billion
Policy

The program starts sending tax money to families for private-school tuition.
2026
2025
Texas creates private-school voucher program
Legislation

Lawmakers approve, and Abbott signs, a program letting families use public money for private school.
2025
Abbott signs $8.5 billion school funding package
Legislation

The package includes teacher pay raises, special education and school safety money.
2025

Scenarios

Republican legislature blocks Hinojosa's agenda

Likely Resolves by Jun 1, 2027

Discussed by: David Crockett of Trinity University and Nancy Sims of the University of Houston, both quoted before the election

Republicans are expected to keep both chambers. Hinojosa's voucher repeal and $1,500 household payments need legislative approval, and the 2027 session is the first test. If neither passes, her first year is defined by vetoes and appointments rather than new law.

Texas scales back or repeals the voucher program

Unlikely Resolves by Jun 1, 2027

Discussed by: Hinojosa's campaign, which made voucher opposition a central pledge

Hinojosa campaigned on repealing the voucher program, but the Republicans who created it still hold the legislature. A partial rollback, such as a cap or an income limit, is more plausible than full repeal.

Texas limits new data center construction

Possible Resolves by Jun 1, 2027

Discussed by: Hinojosa's campaign, which promised to halt new data center construction

Hinojosa ran on stopping new data centers, a pledge that drew attention from technology companies. Any limit would need legislative approval or action from state regulators, and the same Republican majority has generally favored industry growth.