Democrat Gina Hinojosa has defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to win the 2026 Texas gubernatorial election, flipping the governor’s office from Republican to Democratic control. Abbott conceded the race Tuesday night, and the Associated Press called the contest for Hinojosa shortly after 10:15 p.m. CT. Her victory ends a Republican hold on the governor’s office dating back to 1995 and makes her the first Latina governor in Texas history.

Hinojosa, a state representative from Austin, entered the election challenging Abbott’s bid for a fourth consecutive term. Abbott had served as governor since 2015 and had built a strong political record in a state that had consistently supported Republican candidates in statewide elections. His defeat marks a major change in Texas politics and gives Democrats control of the state's highest executive office for the first time in more than 30 years.

Before entering the Texas Legislature, Hinojosa served as president of the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees and worked as an attorney. She was elected to the Texas House in 2016 and has represented an Austin-area district since 2017. During her legislative career, she became a prominent Democratic voice on public education, healthcare and state government policy.

Hinojosa centered her campaign on affordability, government accountability and opposition to policies she argued benefited politically connected interests. One of her most prominent proposals was a one-time $1,500 payment to Texas residents through what she called a “Corruption Tax Refund,” funded through the state’s emergency savings. She also criticized the expansion of private school vouchers and raised concerns about the impact of energy-intensive data centers on electricity costs and local communities.

Abbott campaigned on his record of economic development, border security, tax policy and conservative legislation. He highlighted his administration’s investments in infrastructure and efforts to attract businesses to Texas, while presenting himself as a defender of Republican priorities. His campaign also criticized Hinojosa's proposals and attempted to portray her as too far to the left for the state's electorate.

The contest became increasingly competitive as Hinojosa gained support among voters concerned about the cost of living, education policy and the direction of state government. Abbott had entered the campaign seeking to become the first Texas governor elected to four consecutive four-year terms, but ultimately fell short of that goal.

Hinojosa's victory carries particular historical significance. The last Democrat to serve as Texas governor was Ann Richards, who held the office from 1991 through 1995. No Democrat had won the governorship since Richards, leaving Republicans in control for more than three decades. Hinojosa now becomes the first Democrat elected governor of Texas in 36 years and the first Latina to hold the office.

The result also comes alongside Democratic victories in other major Texas contests, including James Talarico’s defeat of Republican Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race. Together, the outcomes represent a dramatic shift in the state's political landscape after years of Republican dominance in statewide elections.

Hinojosa will take office in January 2027, succeeding Abbott. Although her victory gives Democrats control of the governor’s office, Republicans will retain their legislative majority in Austin, meaning her administration will face a divided state government as it attempts to advance its agenda.