Abbott ramps up attacks on Hinojosa as Texas governor's race tightens
Gov. Greg Abbott's reelection campaign is intensifying attacks on Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa as polls show the race narrowing in early October 2026. A New York Times/Siena College poll showed Hinojosa narrowly leading Abbott by three points, prompting Latino Democratic leaders to urge the Democratic Governors Association to invest $10 million in the Texas race.
- Where
- Statewide
- When
- Oct. 3-4, 2026
- Sources
- Reported by 5 outlets
Taxes and money
Hinojosa proposes property tax cuts; Abbott accuses her of voting 40 times to raise property taxes.
- Democratic Governors Association requested investment$10 million1 Who pays or receives it: Democratic Governors Association
- Abbott campaign ad buy targeting Hinojosa$12 million2 4 Who pays or receives it: Abbott campaign
- Abbott paid communications spending$39 million3 4 Who pays or receives it: Abbott
- Hinojosa campaign paid communications spending$3 million3 4 Who pays or receives it: Hinojosa campaign
- Abbott campaign and allied reelection funds$100 million3 4 Who pays or receives it: Abbott political fund
- Proposed payment per Texas household$1,5003 4
Who's involved
- Greg AbbottRepublican Governor, incumbent candidate
- Gina HinojosaDemocratic state representative, gubernatorial candidate
- Andy BeshearKentucky Governor, Democratic Governors Association chair
- Julián CastroFormer HUD secretary, former San Antonio mayor
- James TalaricoState representative, Senate candidate against Ken Paxton
The facts
- New York Times/Siena College poll showed Hinojosa ahead of Abbott by three points, within margin of error.1 2 Stated by 2 sources
- More than 70 Latino Democratic leaders sent letter urging DGA to invest $10 million in Texas race.1
- Abbott's campaign and Republican allies outspend Hinojosa roughly 10-to-1.1
- Abbott has been governor for 12 years, longest-serving currently in office; seeking unprecedented fourth term.2
- Abbott announced $12 million ad buy targeting Hinojosa's voting record on property taxes.2 4 Stated by 2 sources
- Early voting begins in two weeks from Oct. 4, 2026.4
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
- Abbott campaign Hinojosa voted more than 40 times for higher property taxes.2 4
- Hinojosa I have never, not once, voted to increase property taxes.2
- Hinojosa The 40 votes are being taken out of context.2
- Julián Castro Hinojosa can win if DGA and Beshear support her.1
- Abbott Polls don't win elections, and polls are often wrong.2 4
Where the sources disagree
- Whether Hinojosa's votes increased property taxes Abbott's campaign says 40 votes gave local officials room to raise taxes [2]; Hinojosa says votes taken out of context and she never voted to increase taxes [2]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Latino Dems urge Democratic Governors Association to put money behind Gina Hinojosa as Texas governor's race tightens
Abbott ramps up attacks on Democratic challenger, Gina Hinojosa, as Texas governor’s race tightens
Hinojosa says she’s gaining ground on Abbott in Texas governor’s race
Hinojosa says she’s gaining ground as Abbott steps up attacks in governor’s race
Sources
Outlets: 1 left-leaning, 4 not rated Only left-leaning outlets reported this Who's covering Texas →
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
- Latino Dems urge Democratic Governors Association to put money behind Gina Hinojosa as Texas governor's race tightens
- Abbott ramps up attacks on Democratic challenger, Gina Hinojosa, as Texas governor’s race tightens
- Hinojosa says she’s gaining ground on Abbott in Texas governor’s race
- Hinojosa says she’s gaining ground as Abbott steps up attacks in governor’s race
- Hinojosa says she's gaining ground as Abbott steps up attacks in governor's race
This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.