Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican incumbent Greg Abbott in the November 3 election, becoming the first Latina elected governor of Texas, according to The Associated Press. Her victory ends Abbott’s bid for a fourth term and marks a historic breakthrough for Latino representation in state leadership.
Abbott conceded late Tuesday, telling supporters in Austin that he had called Hinojosa to congratulate her. She will become the first Democrat to hold the office since Ann Richards, who left the governor’s mansion in January 1995.
Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Hinojosa attended Brownsville public schools before graduating from the University of Texas and earning a law degree from George Washington University. She began her professional career as a civil rights and labor attorney.
Her entry into politics began close to home. When her son’s elementary school faced closure, she ran for the Austin Independent School District board, where she later served as president. She subsequently won election to the Texas House in 2016, making public education a central focus of her legislative work.
During the gubernatorial campaign, Hinojosa emphasized affordability, public school funding and opposition to private school vouchers. Her platform also included increasing teacher pay and addressing health care costs.
Her victory carries particular significance in a state where she has described Latino communities as an essential part of Texas’s identity. In an August interview with Austin public radio station KUT, Hinojosa said her upbringing in the Valley made the prospect of a Latina governor feel like a natural reflection of the state.