AUSTIN, TEXAS — November 3, 2026.
Texas is set for a change in gubernatorial leadership after the Associated Press called the November 3 election for Democrat Gina Hinojosa over Republican incumbent Greg Abbott. NBC News also projected Hinojosa as the winner, according to the election-night reporting. The result ends Abbott’s bid for a fourth consecutive term and marks a change in party control of the state’s executive office.
The Associated Press published its winner bulletin at 11:17 p.m. Eastern Time, according to the supplied election update. The call followed a closely watched contest between Hinojosa, a Texas state representative from Austin, and Abbott, who has served as governor since 2015. Hinojosa’s victory also makes her the first Latina elected governor of Texas, according to AP.
Hinojosa entered the general election after serving in the Texas House of Representatives, where she represented an Austin-based district. Her campaign emphasized affordability, education and government accountability. Among the proposals she discussed was a plan called the Corruption Tax Refund, which included a proposed one-time payment to Texas residents funded through the state’s emergency savings. These were campaign proposals, not enacted policies.
Abbott, meanwhile, sought another term after more than a decade in office. His administration had emphasized economic development, border security, education reforms and conservative state policies. The election therefore represented a contest over both the state’s leadership and the direction of its executive government.
The result has broader political significance because Texas had not elected a Democratic governor since Ann Richards left office in 1995. Hinojosa’s victory ends that period of Republican control of the governorship. However, Republicans retain a majority in the Texas Legislature, meaning the new governor will face a legislature controlled by the opposing party.
Although AP has called the race and NBC News has projected Hinojosa as the winner, the media call should be distinguished from formal state certification. Texas election officials must complete the applicable canvassing and certification procedures. The result marks a significant development in the 2026 midterm elections, while the final official record remains subject to the state’s election process.
THE INFORMANT — TEXAS GOVERNOR ELECTION
Associated Press race call | November 3, 2026
AP RACE CALL
GINA HINOJOSA
Democrat | Projected governor-elect
GREG ABBOTT
Republican incumbent | Defeated in AP race call
Previous Democratic gubernatorial election victory in Texas
Latina elected governor of Texas
SOURCE: Associated Press, November 3, 2026. This is a media race call, not official election certification.
