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Who is Gina Hinojosa, the Democrat challenging Greg Abbott in Texas
USA Today • • nation
Key Points:
- Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa is polling within the margin of error against three-term Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, marking the closest Texas gubernatorial race for a Democrat in over three decades.
- If elected, Hinojosa would become the first Texas Democrat governor since 1990 and the state’s first-ever Latina governor, with a platform focused on affordability, public education, and regulating data centers.
- Hinojosa has a strong background in education advocacy and coalition-building, having served five terms in the Texas House and worked on significant school finance reforms and legislation reducing standardized testing.
- The race reflects shifting political dynamics in Texas, with national Democrats viewing the state as potentially competitive due to Abbott’s lower approval ratings and concerns over the cost of living among voters.
- Despite gains, Hinojosa faces challenges including lower name recognition, a massive Republican fundraising advantage, and voter perceptions of the Democratic Party as too liberal on social issues and immigration.
