NBC News projected that Democrat Gina Hinojosa has won the Texas governor's race, defeating Republican incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott. The call marks a significant shift in Texas politics, as Hinojosa will become the first Democrat to serve as Texas governor since Ann Richards in the early 1990s. According to CBS News, Abbott called Hinojosa to concede the race. Hinojosa delivered a speech thanking her supporters following the projection.
What the Right Is Saying
President Donald Trump, the sitting U.S. president, attributed the loss to Gov. Abbott’s political positioning rather than national Republican performance. "If Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, hadn't become a RINO in the last six months of his Political Life, he wouldn't have lost," Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to Abbott as a "Republican In Name Only." Trump also expressed surprise at the overall midterm results, telling Fox News, "I thought they'd do better," while noting that some candidates he endorsed had fought him. Republican Ken Paxton, who lost the Texas Senate race to James Talarico, called it a "difficult" night for Republicans and congratulated the Democratic winner.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic leaders and supporters framed the victory as a rejection of the current Republican leadership in the state and a sign of a broader national trend. Hinojosa thanked her supporters in her victory speech, emphasizing the historic nature of the win. The victory aligns with other Democratic successes in Texas on election night, including James Talarico’s projected win in the U.S. Senate race, which would make him the first Democrat to win a Texas Senate seat since 1988. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats will begin delivering for Americans, stating, "America is back," as they take control of Congress.
What the Numbers Show
CBS News projected that both the Texas Senate and governor's races leaned Democratic, noting that a Democrat had not won statewide in Texas in more than three decades. In the governor's race, Hinojosa’s victory ends a long period of Republican control. In the concurrent U.S. Senate race, CBS News assessed that Democrat James Talarico was likely to defeat Republican Ken Paxton. NBC News projected Hinojosa’s win at 12:18 a.m. ET. Additionally, NBC News projected that Democrat Henry Cuellar won re-election in Texas's 28th Congressional District, indicating continued Democratic strength in specific Texas constituencies.
The Bottom Line
The projected victory for Gina Hinojosa represents a major realignment in Texas state politics, breaking a 30-year Democratic drought for the governor's office. The results, combined with James Talarico’s projected Senate win, signal a potential shift in the political landscape of the largest red state in the nation. President Trump stated he will accept the election results, though he blamed specific candidates and media outlets for the party's losses. Results are projections by NBC News and CBS News and may be subject to change as final counts are certified.