Gina Hinojosa, age 52, won the Texas gubernatorial election on Tuesday, becoming the first Latina governor in Texas history. Democrats swept statewide offices, powered by Hispanic voters along the border, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley.
Where
Rio Grande Valley, San Juan, Brownsville, Statewide
James Talaricostate representative who energized border counties
Bobby PulidoTejano music star who energized border counties
Rebecca ObregonBrownsville resident
Gilberto HinojosaGina Hinojosa's father, former Texas Democratic Party chair, former Cameron County judge
The facts
Gina Hinojosa, 52, became the first Latina governor in Texas history.13Stated by 2 sources
Hinojosa won as part of a Democratic sweep of statewide offices on Tuesday.13Stated by 2 sources
Democratic victories were powered by Hispanic voters along the border.13Stated by 2 sources
Border counties drove an 8% increase in voter turnout, more than any other region.13Stated by 2 sources
Hinojosa, Talarico, and Bobby Pulido energized border counties.13Stated by 2 sources
Hinojosa's father Gilberto Hinojosa is former Texas Democratic Party chair and former Cameron County judge.13Stated by 2 sources
Democrats will control the Texas House; Republicans retain control of the state Senate.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Gina Hinojosa I am a daughter of the Rio Grande Valley where people embody work ethic and values of our great state.13
Rebecca Obregon The fact that she's Latina, from the Valley — that's amazing and that is very historic.13
Democrats (State Rep. Christina Morales, State Rep. Gene Wu) Priorities include expanding Medicaid, repealing school voucher program, and repealing legislation targeting immigrants.2
Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa She has emphasized investing more money in public schools and increasing teacher pay.2
Brandon Rottinghaus, University of Houston political scientist Democrats got good outcomes but not enough to do anything they want without Republican cooperation.2
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Democrats try to take majority of governors' offices for first time in two decades
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.
A national "blue tsunami" swept Democrats to gains in ruby-red districts Trump won by double digits in 2024, improving Democrats' margin by 15 percentage points. California Democrats had pursued redistricting changes via Proposition 50 in anticipation of Republican gerrymanders in states including Texas.
$more than $100 million for campaign spending freed up by protecting incumbent Democrats in Southern California swing districts
California Democrats, pursued Proposition 50 redistricting measure; Greg Abbott, Texas Governor who lost reelection; Gavin Newsom, California Governor who promoted Prop. 50 and 4 more
Young Latino voters ages 18 to 29 in Harris County showed record turnout in the 2026 election, with participation tripling compared to the 2018 midterm elections, according to LULAC. Immigration policies, homeownership costs, rising rents, property taxes, and gas prices motivated voters.
$nearly 1.8 million for hispanic voters casting ballots during early voting
Ashley Barahona, University of Houston student who voted; Dr. Sergio Lira, President of Greater Houston LULAC Council; League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Organization tracking Latino voter turnout
Democrat Julie Holmer won the Collin County Commissioner Precinct 4 election with 56,177 votes (53.3%), defeating Republican Shelby Williams who received 49,198 votes (46.7%). In a separate race, Democrat Nydia Cárdenas won the Tarrant County Commissioners Court Precinct 4 seat with 89,039 votes (51.80%), unseating Republican incumbent Manny Ramirez who received 82,839 votes (48.20%).
Julie Holmer, Democratic candidate for Collin County Commissioner Precinct 4; Shelby Williams, Republican candidate for Collin County Commissioner Precinct 4; Nydia Cárdenas, Democratic candidate for Tarrant County Commissioners Court Precinct 4 and 1 more
San Antonio voters drove downtown and honked in celebration after a midterm election that produced Democratic victories, including James Talarico's election to U.S. Senate and Gina Hinojosa's election as governor.
James Talarico, Democrat elected to U.S. Senate; Gina Hinojosa, Democrat elected Texas governor; Greg Abbott, Conceded in governor's race
Democrat Ericka Lomick won both the general and special elections for Texas House District 93, receiving about 51% of the vote in each contest, though her eligibility to take office is in question due to reported felony conviction records.
Ericka Lomick, Democrat candidate; Alan Blaylock, Republican candidate; Nate Schatzline, Former Texas House District 93 representative and 2 more
Democrat James Talarico won the Texas U.S. Senate race, defeating Republican Ken Paxton by over ten points on Tuesday. In interviews the following day, Talarico outlined areas of potential cooperation with Republicans and President Trump.
James Talarico, Democratic candidate elected Texas U.S. Senator; Ken Paxton, Republican Texas Attorney General, defeated Senate candidate; Donald Trump, President of the United States
In Texas's November 2026 midterm elections, Democrats won statewide races for the first time in over 30 years. Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to become Texas' first Latina governor. James Talarico won the U.S. Senate race against Republican Ken Paxton. Democrats also captured lieutenant governor, attorney general and comptroller offices and won all four state Supreme Court justices' positions on the ballot.
Gina Hinojosa, Democratic candidate who defeated incumbent Governor Greg Abbott; Greg Abbott, Republican Governor defeated in election; James Talarico, Democratic candidate who won U.S. Senate race against Ken Paxton and 3 more
During the November 2026 midterm elections, voters rejected data center-related ballot measures in nearly every jurisdiction where they appeared. Forty or more ballot measures across 10 states dealt with data center restrictions or approvals, with voters rejecting all but one.
Ohio voters, voted on 21 data center ballot measures; Sherrod Brown, Democrat elected to U.S. Senate; focused on data center issue; Greg Abbott, Republican incumbent governor of Texas and 3 more