December 31st, 2025 Len’s Political Note #778 Gina Hinojosa Texas Governor
2026 General Election
Gina Hinojosa
If Texas Hispanics return to the Democrats.
If Texas is moved by the coming Blue Wave.
If Texas Democrats are energized by their Senate primary.
If Texas Republicans are in disarray after their Senate primary and run-off.
If Gina Hinojosa can raise enough money.
Gina Hinojosa could be the first Democrat elected as governor of Texas since Ann Richards was elected in 1990. Look at this sorry history of Republican gubernatorial Texas triumphs. Then think about whether there is any reason to believe that Gina Hinojosa could defeat Greg Abbott’s run for a fourth term as governor.
2022: Republican Greg Abbott defeated Congressman Beto O’Rourke 55-44
2018 Republican Greg Abbott defeated Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez 56-43
2014 Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott defeated State Senator Wendy Davis 59 – 39
2010 Republican Rick Perry defeated Houston Mayor Bill White 55-42
2006 Republican Rick Perry defeated Democratic Congressman Chris Bell, Independent State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, and singer and humorist Kinky Friedman 39-30-18-12
2002 Republican Former Lt. Governor, Incumbent Rick Perry defeated Businessman Tony Sanchez 58-40
1998 Republican George W Bush defeated Land Commissioner Garry Mauro 68-31
1994 Republican Businessman George W Bush defeated Governor Ann Richards 53-46
1990 Democrat State Treasurer Ann Richards defeated Businessman Clayton Williams 49-47
The last financial report for Texas gubernatorial candidates was March, 2025. Greg Abbott reported having raised $22.6 million and having spent $21.5 million. Does that mean he began the spring with one million dollars? Gina Hinojosa reported having raised $54 thousand and having spent $53 thousand? Does that mean she began the spring with one thousand dollars to spend?
Greg Abbott is the governor and the only Republican candidate. In a recent poll for the Democratic primary, Gina Hinojosa trailed “I don’t know” by a point. She led the next actual candidate by 30 points. She is raising money now as the Democratic candidate for governor. If she raises enough money, she can compete.
In the most recent poll, she had numbers Donald Trump would bribe people or threaten them or beg them for. Of the Texans interviewed, 53% had a favorable view of Gina Hinojosa. 4%. That’s right: 4% had an unfavorable view of her. Gina Hinojosa could win the first round by a majority and avoid a primary run-off.
Gina Hinojosa is from Brownsville. That is the tip of the southernmost part of Texas. Her dad was a politician. Gilberto Hinojosa chaired the Texas Democratic party from 2012 to 2025. Before that, from 1996 to 2006, he was the executive (called judge in Texas) for Cameron County that same southern tip of Texas where his daughter grew up.
Gina Hinojosa went away to college – to the University of Texas at Austin. Some say that Austin is not really part of Texas. After she got her BA, she tried what some others in Texas say is a foreign land. She went to Washington DC and got her JD at George Washington University.
When she came home, Gina Hinojosa settled in Austin. She worked as an attorney for AFSCME – the union for public employees — and then joined a private law firm. She married John Donisi, once a Special Assistant to Governor Ann Richards. An attorney, he has mixed private law practice and politics. She raised children and found flexible work part-time work for organizations such as Catholic Charities and Rural Legal Aid. When the Austin School District considered closing schools, she wanted a voice in that. Elected to the School Board, she became its Chair, stepping down to be elected as a state rep.
In the state legislature Gina Hinojosa and the Democrats were in the minority
- Her proposal for health funds for victims of traffickers passed the house, but was stripped from the budget.
- Her proposal for comprehensive health services in Texas never got out of committee
- Her proposal to eliminate, as a defense for assault, fear of gays or trans never got out of committee
- Governor Abbott insisted he would sign her proposed substantial increase in education spending in exchange for the legislature passing a voucher system. There was no substantial increase in education spending.
If Gina Hinojosa is elected governor, she might implement some of her good ideas.. DONATE to her campaign.
Other Texas Races
US Senate: Democratic State Rep James Talarico has an army of young supporters and could be a Christian and Texas version of New York City’s Mamdani DONATE. Rep Jasmine Crockett has struck a chord well beyond her Black base. DONATE Republicans are struggling with three candidates – establishment incumbent John Cornyn, bad boy Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Black Republican Wesley Hunt. Two of them will have to spend money on the primary and again on a late May run off before there is a Republican candidate.
Lt. Governor: Democratic State Rep and children’s advocate Vicki Goodwin is opposing incumbent and conservative talk show host Dan Patrick for the most powerful Lt. Governor post in the country. Her win would be an upset. DONATE TO Vicki Goodwin’s campaign
Attorney General. Either Democrat – former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski or two term State Senator Nathan Johnson would be a formidable candidate for this seat. DONATE to the Jaworski campaign or DONATE to the Johnson campaign. Four Republicans are running: State Senator Joan Huffman, State Senator Mayes Middleton, former US Justice Department official Aaron Reitz, and US Representative Chip Roy.
Comptroller Democratic State Senator Sarah Eckhardt is the daughter of a Texas Congressman, a former aide to Ann Richards, the former county judge (or executive) for Travis County. DONATE to her campaign. Three Republicans are running – the appointed Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, railroad commissioner Christi Craddick, and former State Senator Don Huffines.
The following five Congressional races should be considered in the context of Donald Trump having asked the state legislature to redistrict and flip five Democratic seats so Republicans could hold what will be a 220-215 majority after early 2026 special elections. Much depends on whether Hispanics (in Texas and nationally) return to the Democratic Party.
Texas 15. Can popular Democratic Tejano musician Bobby Pulido defeat incumbent Monica De La Cruz Hernandez in this likely Republican, 80% Hispanic South Texas District? DONATE to Bubby Pulido’s campaign.
Texas 28. Pardoned by Donald Trump, conservative Democratic incumbent Henry Cuellar could be reelected in this 75% Hispanic Lean Democratic South Texas district. DONATE to Henry Cuellar’s campaign. See Len’s Political Note #756.
Texas 34. Business oriented incumbent Democrat Vicente Gonzales in a toss-up 90% Hispanic district could win this southeastern coastal Texas district. DONATE to Vicente Gonzales’s campaign. See Len’s Political Note #720.
Texas 35 Redistricting has moved the incumbent to run in Austin’s Texas 37. Democrats have two candidates for what is now a 55% Hispanic and Likely Republican district in between San Antonio and Austin. Democrats will choose between Deputy Sheriff Johnny Garcia and marine veteran and former Small Business Administration staffer John Lira. Republicans have four candidates and will probably need a late May primary run-off to make their selection.
If Democrats can win these four seats, Donald Trump’s goal for Texas to preserve a Republican House majority will have dwindled to adding a single seat.
