Hinojosa Launches Campaign to “Take Back Texas” Focusing on Education Issues
Hinojosa, 51, a former Austin ISD school board president and current Democratic state representative, announced her bid for governor in a video message vowing to fight back against corporate greed and billionaire control of Texas politics.
“Our fight right now is against the billionaires and the corporations who are driving up prices, closing our neighborhood schools, and cheating Texans out of basic healthcare,” Hinojosa said. “That’s who Greg Abbott works for. I’m running for governor to work for you.”
The Latina attorney from Brownsville will officially kick off her campaign at a Blue Texas event in her hometown, tapping into her Rio Grande Valley roots and invoking her grandmother’s words, “No te dejes” — don’t back down.
Education Front and Center
Hinojosa is expected to make public education the centerpiece of her campaign. As president of the Austin ISD school board, she fought to keep neighborhood schools open and protect teachers from budget cuts. Recently, she’s clashed with Abbott over his push for private school vouchers, calling them a “scam” that siphons funding from public classrooms.
Allred Throws Early Support Behind Hinojosa
“Don’t mess with Texas moms,” she says in her campaign video.
2026 Texas Senate candidate Colin Allred officially endorsed State Rep. Gina Hinojosa for governor Wednesday, backing her just moments after she launched her campaign to unseat Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
“Greg Abbott’s corruption has bled Texas dry — draining our schools, our hospitals, and our wallets to reward his billionaire donors,” Allred said. “Gina Hinojosa has spent her life fighting for Texas families and taking on people like Abbott who think this state is for sale. She’s fearless, she’s principled, and she’s exactly the kind of governor Texans deserve.”
Allred, whose Senate campaign has centered on lowering costs and ending political corruption, described Hinojosa’s story as representing “the best of Texas — courage, community, and the will to fight for what’s right.”
Democrats Look to Regain Ground in 2026
No Democrat has won statewide office in Texas in over three decades, but party leaders believe Hinojosa’s candidacy — coupled with Allred’s Senate run — could energize voters frustrated by Abbott’s fourth-term bid and the GOP’s dominance in Austin.
“Gina’s not afraid to take on bullies — and Greg Abbott has been bullying this state for far too long,” Allred said. “He’s sold out our schools, ignored our communities, and handed the keys of government to out-of-state billionaires. Gina’s fighting to take them back.”
The endorsement highlights a growing push among Texas Democrats to unify early behind candidates positioned to challenge Abbott’s entrenched machine and revive the party’s statewide competitiveness.
