Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas’ Nov. 3 election, ending more than three decades of Republican control of the governor’s office. With 86.7% of ballots counted, Hinojosa led Abbott 52.8% to 45.8%, according to the Associated Press. She will become the state’s first Latina governor and its first Democratic governor since Ann Richards left office in 1995 [elpais.com][pbs.org][citynews.ca]. Hinojosa, a state representative from Austin, campaigned on public education and household costs, criticizing Abbott’s support for private-school vouchers and the expansion of data centers. Abbott, governor since 2015, sought a fourth term. He conceded and offered to help with the transition [gpb.org][kxan.com][dailysignal.com][pbs.org]. Hinojosa is scheduled to take office in January 2027. She will face a Republican-majority Legislature, with the next regular legislative session set to follow her inauguration [dailysignal.com][pbs.org]. Highlights: • Spending gap: Campaign finance filings showed Abbott spent $281 million to Hinojosa’s $36.8 million during the reporting period covered by the race [time.com]. • Voucher cap: Texas’ voucher law capped public spending at $1 billion for the 2026-27 budget period [texasstandard.org]. • Data center pause: Texas has more than 500 data centers. Abbott halted new permits in September while the state audited their effect on the electricity grid [reddit.com][elcomercio.pe]. • Latino outreach: Hinojosa used Spanish-language town halls and bilingual television ads to appeal to Latino voters, who make up about one-third of Texas’ electorate [reddit.com][elcomercio.pe]. • Education plans: Hinojosa has said she would replace Education Commissioner Mike Morath with an educator and has called for changes to school testing and accountability [texasstandard.org][gpb.org]. Perspectives: Gina Hinojosa, governor-elect: She said voters had delivered a mandate for change but pledged not to replace one period of single-party rule with another [reddit.com]. (The Texas Tribune (article reposted on Reddit)) Greg Abbott, Texas governor: He argued that his administration had made Texas safer, including through its border policies [gpb.org]. (Georgia Public Broadcasting and Texas Standard) President Donald Trump: Trump blamed Abbott’s loss on the governor’s return to his “original formula” late in the campaign, criticizing a longtime ally after the defeat [time.com]. (TIME) Nancy Sims, political science lecturer at the University of Houston: Sims said a Democratic win in Texas would reflect frustration with the federal government and President Donald Trump [gpb.org]. (Georgia Public Broadcasting) "It never bothered me that they doubted me. It bothered me that they doubted us." — Gina Hinojosa, Texas governor-elect Sources: • Democrat Gina Hinojosa pulls off an upset in Texas to become the first Hispanic woman governor - elpais.com • Gina Hinojosa Wins Texas Governor Race in Major Upset, Defeating Greg Abbott - nytimes.com • Gina Hinojosa Wins Texas Governor’s Race, Ending GOP’s Long Hold on Office - dailysignal.com • Democrat Gina Hinojosa Ousts Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas, Ending Decades of Republican Leadership - time.com • Democrat Gina Hinojosa wins election for governor in Texas - pbs.org • Democrat Gina Hinojosa topples Greg Abbott to become first Latina governor of Texas - reddit.com • Democrat Gina Hinojosa takes down Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in stunning result - reddit.com • How Gina Hinojosa Captured Texas - nytimes.com • Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeats Greg Abbott in historic Texas governor upset - koaa.com • Democrat Gina Hinojosa wins race for Texas governor, ousting Greg Abbott - gpb.org • Democrat Gina Hinojosa elected Texas' first Latina governor, ousts Republican incumbent Greg Abbott - lasvegassun.com • Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeats incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas race - wpbf.com • Gina Hinojosa wins Texas governor’s race, first Democrat in 36 years - click2houston.com • Gina Hinojosa defeats Gov. Greg Abbott, ending decades of Republican control of Texas governor’s office - texasstandard.org • Democrat Gina Hinojosa elected Texas’ first Latina governor, ousts Republican incumbent Greg Abbott - citynews.ca • Gina Hinojosa wins Texas gubernatorial race against Greg Abbott - cbsnews.com • Gina Hinojosa wins Texas governor’s race, ending 32 years of GOP rule - chron.com • Gina Hinojosa se convierte en la primera latina en gobernar Texas - lopezdoriga.com • Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseats three-term Texas Governor Greg Abbott - tri-cityherald.com • La demócrata Gina Hinojosa será la primera gobernadora latina de Texas tras vencer al republicano Greg Abbott - elcomercio.pe • Race for Texas Governor: Greg Abbott vs. Gina Hinojosa - khou.com • Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseats Texas Gov. Greg Abbott - Tue, 03 Nov 2026 PST - spokesman.com • La demócrata Gina Hinojosa da la sorpresa en Texas para convertirse en la primera mujer hispana en ser gobernadora - elpais.com • Hinojosa defeats Abbott to become first Democratic Texas governor in over 30 years - kxan.com --- 📰 Story aggregated by Kagi News