Gina Hinojosa Defeats Greg Abbott to Become Texas’s First Latina Governor

HISTORIC VICTORY IN TEXAS: GINA HINOJOSA DEFEATS GREG ABBOTT

Democratic Victory – November 3, 2026

Reported by Tariq Nehal Khan, Founder of Pakistan Chronicle, South Asian Chronicle News, Desi TV USA, DTVNN and other news channels

AUSTIN, TEXAS — November 4, 2026: In a historic political upset, Democrat Gina Hinojosa has defeated three-term Republican incumbent Governor Greg Abbott in the November 3 Texas gubernatorial election. Her victory makes her the first Latina governor in Texas history and the first Democrat to win the Texas governorship since Ann Richards left office in 1995.

Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat, with Tariq Nehal Khan. Photo: Pakistan Chronicle

Election Results

According to the latest Associated Press (AP) returns, updated on November 4, 2026 at 12:10, with 89.0 percent of the expected vote counted, Hinojosa leads Abbott by more than six percentage points. The AP has called the race in her favor.

Source: Associated Press. Figures are unofficial and remain subject to final canvassing and certification.

An earlier election-night tally, reported by Texas Election Results, showed Hinojosa with 3,319,036 votes (53.8 percent), Abbott with 2,772,260 votes (44.9 percent) and Libertarian candidate Pat Dixon with 79,244 votes (1.3 percent). Because more ballots have since been counted, the percentages have shifted slightly, and the final numbers may change again as counting continues.

Abbott Concedes Defeat

Governor Greg Abbott conceded the race at approximately 10 p.m. on Tuesday. He confirmed that he had personally called Hinojosa to congratulate her on her victory. In his remarks, Abbott thanked Texans for their support and reflected on his years of service as governor.

Hinojosa celebrated with supporters in Austin, declaring that Texans had made their voices heard. She promised to work across party lines as she prepares to lead the state.

Gina Hinojosa, Texas Democratic Governor-elect. Photo: Pakistan Chronicle

Questions from Pakistan Chronicle

Tariq Nehal Khan, founder of Pakistan Chronicle, South Asian Chronicle News, Desi TV USA, DTVNN and other news channels, asked Governor-elect Hinojosa two questions, and she responded well to both. Her responses came as community media outlets serving Pakistani American and South Asian readers sought to hear directly from the state’s incoming governor.

Question (Tariq Nehal Khan): I think she also addressed Islamophobia. There is so much going on against faith-based people, whether Hindu, Muslim or any other religion. There are also the ban at airports, the mosque restrictions and the creation of Islamic societies and neighborhoods, and all of that. New orders keep coming nonstop. What would you do to protect American Muslims and other faith-based people?

Answer (Gina Hinojosa): I would stop attacking them, like right now, I just did. He does not do it out of hate. He does it out of corruption, because people are suffering economically and this is a corrupt government right now. He tries to distract Texans and tell them that the people to blame are the Muslims, the people to blame are the Mexican immigrants, the people to blame are whichever group, right? So they have us hating each other instead of seeing that the reason we are all struggling is that we have a government that is working, again, for its donors and many interests, and not for the people of Texas.

Question (Tariq Nehal Khan): How would you address these people and ask them to vote for you and come out, when they are sometimes scared to go to the polling station? There is so much fear in the community. How would you address that and ask people to vote for you?

Answer (Gina Hinojosa): The only way we win a better future for ourselves and our families is if we vote. If not, we will have the same thing. So I humbly ask for your vote, so we can win what we need for ourselves, our families and our state. We are a state that is a world economic powerhouse. It is people who built that power, all kinds of people. We are a diverse state, almost like a country, so diverse. And I will lift up all our different kinds of Texans instead of punching down, like Rick had said.

Why This Election Is Historic

The result marks several firsts and breaks a long-standing political pattern in the nation’s second-largest state. Observers point to the following milestones:

• Hinojosa is the first Latina elected governor of Texas.
• The result ends more than three decades of Republican control of the Texas governor’s office.
• Abbott is denied an unprecedented fourth consecutive term.
• The governorship returns to Democratic leadership for the first time since Ann Richards.

Campaign Priorities

Hinojosa’s campaign emphasized public education, affordability and government accountability. These themes resonated with voters across the state, many of whom expressed concern about the rising cost of living and the quality of local schools. Her pledge to work across party lines also appears to have broadened her appeal beyond traditional Democratic strongholds.

A Referendum on Trump’s Policies

This election was widely viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s policies and on the broader debate over inclusivity versus exclusivity. Critics of his domestic and foreign policies, including the war with Iran, saw the vote as a chance to reject them. CBS News exit polls found that most voters said his tariffs hurt the economy, his administration’s immigration efforts went too far and the decision to take military action against Iran was the wrong one. The AP Voter Poll found that about six in ten voters were personally very concerned about the cost of food and groceries.

The Democratic Approach

The Democratic approach focused on bringing diverse communities together and seeking support from everyone, including Asian Americans, Pakistani Americans, Muslim Americans, South Asian Americans, Latino communities and Americans of every religion and background. Particular attention was also given to engaging younger voters, especially those between the ages of 18 and 45. CBS News exit polls found that young voters and Latinos, who had moved toward Trump in 2024, backed Democrats for the House this year.

Two Key Factors That Shaped the Election

1. Inclusivity: Building a broad coalition by welcoming people from diverse ethnic, cultural, religious and social backgrounds.
2. A referendum on Trump’s policies: Voter concerns about the Iran conflict, tariffs, rising grocery prices, utilities and gas costs, as well as policies that critics view as divisive or exclusionary, became central issues in the election debate.

The AP Voter Poll also carried a note of caution for Democrats: many voters dislike the party, and its advantage on key issues such as the economy was relatively slim.

Abbott’s Time in Office

Greg Abbott had served as governor for three consecutive terms and had sought a fourth, a milestone no governor in Texas history has reached. His defeat closes a lengthy chapter of Republican dominance in Austin. In conceding, Abbott acknowledged the voters’ decision and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, bringing a courteous end to a closely watched campaign.

Significance for Texas Politics

For decades, Texas has been regarded as a reliably Republican state in statewide contests. Hinojosa’s win challenges that assumption and is likely to be studied closely by both parties as they plan for future elections. Her historic status as the first Latina governor also carries symbolic weight in a state where Latinos make up a large and growing share of the population.

What Comes Next

A new chapter begins for Texas. Gina Hinojosa is expected to take office in January 2027, marking a significant change in the state’s political leadership. In the coming weeks, state officials will complete the canvassing process and certify the final results, after which the transition period will formally begin. Attention will then turn to how the incoming governor assembles her administration and how she works with a legislature that remains a key part of the state’s political balance.

DesiTVUSA TV and DTVNN: What’s Next

The publisher of Pakistan Chronicle, South Asian Chronicle News and DesiTVUSA plans to create DesiTVUSA TV, an English-language channel, and DTVNN, an Urdu-language channel, to bring election coverage and community news to Pakistani American and South Asian audiences.

Report based on election-night reporting and unofficial returns, November 4, 2026. For complete statewide figures, see Texas Governor, 2026 (Associated Press).