Democrats won the governor's office, a U.S. Senate seat, the lieutenant governor's office and six other statewide contests in Texas on Tuesday. In victory remarks and statements, the incoming officials named public school oversight, taxpayer spending, government contracts, data centers and energy costs as priorities.
State Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-District 49) defeated Gov. Greg Abbott. Hinojosa said Abbott called to congratulate her and offered help with the transition. She pledged to end the era of no-bid contracts and said she would fire Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on her first day in office. The article notes that Texas Education Code Section 7.053 requires Senate advice and consent for the governor to remove him. Abbott criticized Hinojosa over her legislative votes on sports participation and parental rights, the report said.
State Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-District 47) defeated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and became the first woman elected lieutenant governor, according to the report. Patrick said, "It was a fair election, and I accept the majority will of the voters." The Dallas Express also reported $57,000 in consulting payments from Hinojosa's campaign to Bellsynder Group LLC. The Dallas Morning News later acknowledged that an October 31 endorsement by a consultant tied to the payments did not disclose the relationship.