Gina Hinojosa becomes Democratic governor of Texas
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Bénin Web TV
Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Greg Abbott in the Texas governor’s election, according to Associated Press projections. She becomes the first woman of Latino origin to lead the state and ends more than 30 years of Republican rule, after Abbott conceded defeat.
Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic candidate for Texas governor, defeated Republican Greg Abbott in the 3 November midterm election, according to Associated Press projections. Greg Abbott, who was seeking a fourth term, conceded on Tuesday evening and called his opponent to congratulate her.
Elected at 52, Gina Hinojosa becomes the first woman of Latino origin to lead Texas and the first Democrat to hold the post since Ann Richards’s term ended in January 1995. She is due to take office in January 2027 and will notably have veto power, while Republicans will retain their majority in the Texas legislature.
A member of the Texas House of Representatives since 2017, Gina Hinojosa focused her campaign on the cost of living, public-school funding and the influence of great wealth. She also criticised the establishment of highly electricity-intensive data centres, an issue on which Greg Abbott imposed a moratorium on 30 October. She will now have to work with a Republican legislative majority to implement her programme.
Gina Hinojosa’s victory came at the same time as that of Democrat James Talarico over Ken Paxton in the race for the US Senate in Texas. James Talarico’s victory in Texas and the change of governor alter the political balance in a state led by Republicans for more than 30 years.
