Texas voters have flipped the governor's race and U.S. Senate seats to Democrats, a shift the report says has not happened in the state in more than 30 years. Political analyst Charles Kuffner said Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa can move quickly after she takes office Jan. 1, with public education likely among her first priorities.
Kuffner said Hinojosa could replace the state's education commissioner as soon as she is sworn in. On immigration, he said local law enforcement, including Houston Police, could scale back cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. He also said Hinojosa could change the border emergency declaration that Gov. Greg Abbott has renewed since 2021.
Kuffner said bills could move quickly once Hinojosa releases a list of priority legislation. He said passing measures may be harder now, describing a Democratic House and a Republican Senate. On cost of living, he told KPRC 2 News that relief for Texas families may depend more on Washington than Austin, pointing to tariffs and tensions overseas, which will depend on who holds the U.S. House and Senate.