Will Gina Hinojosa Beat the Odds?
By Nisie
October 1, 2026
Understanding your constituents’ everyday needs is crucial to any governor's success. Still, not every governor is willing to travel across their state day in and day out to hear those needs from voters. Although she is only a candidate for governor, Gina Hinojosa has made it her mission to hear what Texans have to say. But she has faced major challenges during her 2026 campaign. Democratic state representative Gina Hinojosa's 2026 gubernatorial campaign has achieved competitive polling momentum but faces severe fundraising disadvantages and institutional financial hurdles against incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
Incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott holds a massive financial advantage over Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa, with roughly $64.4 million more in cash on hand heading into the peak of the campaign season. Hinojosa started with just 3 million. But she has made it clear during her campaign that it is not about the money; it is about the message.
Last week, Hinojosa stopped by Marquez Bakery in Arlington, where she continued to share her vision for Texas with myself and the first Latina city council member of Arlington, Brittney Garcia‑Dumas . But not without a delicious lunch of Green Pozole and Barbacoa tacos for me. While we enjoyed lunch, she stressed the importance of a unified Texas and didn't shy away from the tough questions I had for her.
When asked about how she would handle immigration reform, she stressed the importance of a secure border but does not support the continued attacks by ICE on the Hispanic community. She also believes the federal government should not be using the National Guard to work at the detention centers and wants to work towards an alternative solution that would bring humanity back to the Department of Homeland Security by certain practices like children being imprisoned with their parents, which she considers to be child abuse. Hinojosa’s main message was to bring Texans back to basics, and according to her, the family unit is an integral part of that structure. Her passion for Texas families led to a very honest discussion about women’s rights.
Since the abortion ban, at least 120 maternal deaths have happened in Texas hospitals. Complications like sepsis can lead to a painful death for the mother. Second-trimester pregnancy loss hospitalizations involving severe sepsis increased by more than 50% after the ban, according to ProPublica's analysis, climbing from a baseline of roughly 3% up to nearly 5% as doctors reported care delays due to legal ambiguity. If a doctor in Texas performs an abortion that is later determined by authorities not to meet the strict legal definition of a medical emergency, they face up to 99 years or life in prison, and civil fines of at least $100,000. Gina Hinojosa understands that she cannot flip the abortion ban overnight, but she strongly believes that lifting medical restrictions for doctors will stop women from dying in Texas hospitals. In the end, all roads led back to the basics for Gina Hinojosa, who was eager to discuss issues that affect everyday Texas families and students, too.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has taken control of at least 8 school districts since Governor Greg Abbott took office in 2015, with several more interventions or leadership replacements occurring under expanded state accountability laws. Hinojosa believes Governor Abbott is motivated by profits and does not believe the state should intervene in districts with small infractions like a single failing school. On the current education system, Hinojosa believes she can steer Texas schools back in the right direction by avoiding state takeovers and penalties. On charter schools, she said she does not believe they should be eradicated, but they should not be allowed to be next to a public school and require more oversight to ensure students receive a proper education. As the campaign season heats up, Gina Hinojosa continues to position herself as a candidate focused on listening to Texans and advocating for their everyday needs. Despite the daunting financial gap and the incumbent's entrenched power, her grassroots approach and commitment to tackling tough issues—from healthcare and education to immigration and reproductive rights— she’s got the voters' attention.
Governor Greg Abbott’s campaign messaging has focused on divisive culture wars, prioritizing book bans, immigration policy, and gender identity over practical policies. Abbott’s approach has mobilized his political base, but it has also drawn criticism from those who believe that ‘culture wars” distract from urgent problems like access to healthcare, quality public education, and rising costs of living.
Hinojosa’s campaign has shown voters that leadership is not just about resources, but about vision, and the willingness to fight for what matters most to the people of Texas. Come November, we will see if that message can overcome the odds.
*Govonor Gregg Abbott refused to speak with Hola Texas about the upcoming 2026 mid term elections.
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