Gina Hinojosa Could Be on the Brink
of Campaign for Governor Abbott's Job
Capitol Inside
September 22, 2025
Democratic State Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin may be on the verge of a potential fight with the all-time Texas Goliath amid speculation that she plans to run for the job that Republican Governor Greg Abbott is seeking again in 2026.
Hinojosa, a 51-year-old attorney in the midst of a fifth term in the Texas House, appeared to be leaning against a bid for governor after being mentioned increasingly as a possible contender for the Democrats next year. But strategists for the minority party said on Monday that Hinojosa is poised to enter the ring at some point this week.
The Austin lawmaker's father - Gilberto Hinojosa - served for 12 years as the Texas Democratic Party chairman before stepping down in 2024. The younger Hinojosa has represented House District 47 at the Capitol since 2017.
As the product of a family that was immersed in politics at the state and local levels, Hinojosa knows that Abbott will be a prohibitive favorite in a race for a record-breaking fourth term barring developments that are unforeseen at this stage of the competition.
But Hinojosa might have a chance to run as the frontrunner in the Democratic primary election in a contest for a position that other bigger name Democrats like Beto O'Rourke and U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett have apparently decided to forego as a challenge that could be an impossible dream.
Democratic State Rep. James Talarico of Austin had weighed a possible race for governor before setting his sights on the U.S. Senate instead. Talarico is competing for the nomination against former congressional member Colin Allred - the Democrats nominee in 2024 against U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.
The Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate can expect better odds next fall if Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ousts U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the GOP primary election. Democrats see Paxton as highly-vulnerable as a result of accusations of adultery that prompted his wife to file for divorce.
Abbott - in contrast - arguably is as close to invincible that a sitting incumbent has been in a major statewide bout in Texas during two decades of Republican rule. Abbott had more than $86 million in his campaign account on June 30 and has raised substantial more since that time. Hinojosa had less than $25,000 in cash on hand midway through the year.
more to come ...
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