Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in Tuesday's election for governor, denying him a fourth term. Abbott conceded at 10 p.m. at his results watch party. He said he had called Hinojosa to congratulate her and that he was leaving Texas "in far better shape than it's ever been."
Hinojosa, 52, will be the first Latina governor of Texas. The state's last female governor, Ann Richards, lost her 1994 reelection bid to George W. Bush. Richards was also the last Democrat to hold the office. Hinojosa, a fifth-term Austin state representative, campaigned on a promise to revitalize public schools and reduce corporate and billionaire influence in state government. She was outspent by more than four to one.
Abbott entered the year with more than $100 million in campaign cash on hand. Hinojosa's campaign benefited from a competitive U.S. Senate race, which Democrat James Talarico won over Republican Ken Paxton. Public polls over the summer showed Abbott behind for the first time in any of his campaigns.