Democrat Gina Hinojosa was elected governor of Texas on Tuesday, defeating Republican incumbent Greg Abbott. The Associated Press reported that she is the first Democrat to hold the office in more than 30 years, since Ann Richards in the 1990s, and will be the state's first Latina governor.
Hinojosa, 52, has served in the state legislature since 2017, representing a liberal Austin district. The AP reported that she started her campaign with little money or name recognition and without significant support from the national party. Her campaign focused on opposing artificial intelligence data centers and corruption. Abbott's campaign spent $180 million since last year, according to the AP. Abbott first took office in 2015 and had won his previous races by double digits.
In her victory speech at a party in Austin, Hinojosa said, "Texas, my faith in you never wavered." Democrat James Talarico also won election to the U.S. Senate over Republican Ken Paxton on Tuesday. Republicans still hold a majority in the state House, which will limit Hinojosa's power, the AP reported.