Gina Hinojosa's victory in the Texas governor's race was announced Tuesday at her election night party. Ava Marchant, 21, said the result gave her hope that Texas laws restricting reproductive rights could change. "I'm feeling just overcome with joy and relief," she said. Texas has one of the tightest abortion bans in the country, allowing the procedure only in narrow medical circumstances, such as when the mother's life or a major bodily function is at risk.
Texas will have its first Democratic governor in more than three decades. Democrats also hold a majority in the Texas House and won the lieutenant governor and attorney general races. John Seago, president of Texas Right to Life, said he expects the changes to make it "significantly more difficult" for the anti-abortion movement in Texas. The Texas Senate remains under Republican control, with Republicans holding 19 of 31 seats.
Kaitlyn Kash, a former plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the state's abortion law, said after the election, "I'm pretty sure we're being punked." Kash said she is not ready to say whether a major change or repeal of the laws is possible. "I think it's way too early," she said.