Gina Hinojosa, 52, delivered a victory speech Tuesday night in San Juan as governor-elect. She said she is a daughter of the Rio Grande Valley. Her win was part of a wave of Democratic victories across Texas, and she became the first Latina governor in the state's history.
Rebecca Obregon, a resident of Hinojosa's hometown of Brownsville, said the win was historic. Hispanic and Latino residents make up about 41% of Texas' population, and more than 90% of the Valley's population. Hinojosa's father, Gilberto Hinojosa, is a former chair of the Texas Democratic Party and a former Cameron County judge.
Hinojosa, state Rep. James Talarico and Tejano music star Bobby Pulido energized border counties, which saw an 8% increase in voter turnout, more than any other region in the state. La Union Del Pueblo Entero, a Latino civil rights organization, ran a large canvassing effort through its political sibling group, LUPE Votes. The group said it feels the Valley now has a voice at the table.