AUSTIN(TEXAS): Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott in Texas on Tuesday, ending decades of Republican control of the state’s governorship and delivering one of the biggest Democratic victories in the 2026 US midterm elections.
Hinojosa’s victory makes her the first Latina governor in Texas history and the first Democrat to hold the office since the 1990s.
The result represents a significant setback for Republicans in a state that President Donald Trump carried by a double-digit margin in the 2024 presidential election.
Hinojosa, a Democratic state representative from Austin, campaigned on affordability, public education, government accountability and opposition to the expansion of energy-intensive data centres.
Abbott, who was seeking a fourth term, enjoyed a substantial financial advantage, reportedly outspending Hinojosa nearly eight to one. The Democratic candidate nevertheless capitalised on a favourable national political environment and growing voter concerns over the cost of living.
The result could have implications beyond Texas, which remains an important electoral state for Republicans in presidential elections.
Hinojosa’s victory also adds to Democratic gains across traditionally Republican territory, with the party making advances in Georgia, Iowa and Ohio.
