Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa held a debate event outside the Texas Governor's Mansion on Thursday after Governor Greg Abbott declined her invitation. Abbott's campaign did not accept any of four debate invitations from Texas media organizations. Hinojosa addressed supporters and answered questions at the event.
Greg AbbottGovernor of Texas, Republican gubernatorial candidate
Jenn MackIndependent gubernatorial candidate
Jacob LongTexas Democratic Party spokesperson
Tommy KubitschekHinojosa campaign spokesperson
Abbott's campaignCampaign organization
The facts
Four separate Texas media organizations invited Abbott and Hinojosa to participate in gubernatorial debates.5
Abbott's campaign declined all four debate invitations from media organizations.15Stated by 2 sources
This is the first time in 12 years Abbott has refused to debate his challenger in the governor's race.1
About 100 supporters attended Hinojosa's event outside the Governor's Mansion.5
Independent candidate Jenn Mack took the stage during the event and was later escorted away from the podium.4
Hinojosa's campaign gave Abbott a week to accept the Thursday debate challenge but received no response.4
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Gina Hinojosa If Greg Abbott is not man enough to debate me, then he does not deserve to be the governor of Texas.1
Gina Hinojosa The Governor is hiding from his failed record; Texas has the most people without health insurance and most children without health insurance.1
Gina Hinojosa Separate polls now show her ahead of Abbott with 19 days remaining until midterm elections.5
Jacob Long, Texas Democratic Party Gina Hinojosa is traveling the state hosting more than 150 public events and meeting directly with thousands of voters.4
Abbott's campaign The event was not a sincere attempt to debate; the empty lectern was inaccessible to Abbott, who uses a wheelchair.4
Hinojosa's campaign Abbott had agreed to four debates with news outlets while Abbott had not accepted any debate invitations.4
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
NEW: Hinojosa Brings Debate to Governor’s Mansion, Greg Abbott Scared to Show Because of Failed Record
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.
Republican Nate Sheets and Democrat Clayton Tucker are running for Texas agriculture commissioner, with each questioning whether the other meets legal requirements for the office. Sheets won the Republican primary earlier this year, defeating incumbent Sid Miller who has led the department since 2015.
$over $250,000 for campaign loan from candidate
Nate Sheets, Republican candidate for Texas agriculture commissioner, honey entrepreneur and former Christian missionary from Dallas area; Clayton Tucker, Democratic candidate for Texas agriculture commissioner, political organizer and secretary of Texas Farmer's Union from Lampasas area; Sid Miller, Texas agriculture commissioner since 2015, lost Republican primary earlier this year
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Collin County Election Administrator Kaleb Breaux, Collin County Election Administrator; Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; David Thomason, Director of the Kozmetsky Center for Civic Engagement at St. Edward's University and 1 more
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Sarah Gardner, Dallas Young Republicans Secretary; James Talarico, Democratic Texas Senate candidate
Early voting is underway in the 2026 midterm elections. In Texas, Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico and Republican nominee Ken Paxton are campaigning on economic concerns as they focus on the closely watched Senate race.
James Talarico, Democratic Senate nominee; Ken Paxton, Republican Senate nominee; Donald Trump, President, campaigning for Republican candidates
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Smith County, county election authority; Smith County Pct. 1 Constable's Office, traffic patrol assistance
Republican incumbent Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham faces Democratic challenger Benjamin Flores in the November 2026 election. Buckingham, a former state senator and physician, has served as land commissioner since 2023. Flores says disaster recovery and transparent land management are priorities.
$nearly $890,000 for campaign funds raised in most recent reporting period
Dawn Buckingham, Republican candidate, incumbent Texas Land Commissioner; Benjamin Flores, Democratic candidate for Texas Land Commissioner