Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Gov. Greg Abbott in the Texas governor's race. The Associated Press called the race at 10:17 p.m. Hinojosa had about 57% of the reported vote to Abbott's 41%. Abbott said in his concession speech that there were still votes to be counted, but that mathematically he would not be able to win. Hinojosa said in her victory speech that Texans had made clear "your government belongs to you."
The win ends three decades of Republican control of the governor's office and gives Democrats the office for the first time since Ann Richards left in 1995. Hinojosa, who is from Austin, built her campaign on public education, household costs and criticism of the state's Republican leadership. Abbott, first elected in 2014, will leave office in January.
Trinity University political science professor David Crockett said before the election that a Hinojosa win would be an earthquake given Republican dominance in statewide races. He said one election may not signal a lasting shift. As governor, Hinojosa can sign or veto bills and appoint state agency leaders, but major changes to school funding, property taxes and the voucher program would need legislative approval. Crockett said that would require finding common ground with lawmakers.