From The New Yorker · Stephania Taladrid · · 2m
Gina Hinojosa’s Populism for Democrats
Texas Democratic governor candidate Gina Hinojosa uses populist tactics to challenge Republican incumbent Greg Abbott.
In brief
Texas Democratic governor candidate Gina Hinojosa uses populist tactics to challenge Republican incumbent Greg Abbott. Gina Hinojosa, a Texas Democratic candidate, aims to win the governorship by focusing on economic issues and voter discontent with Republican policies. Originally reported by The New Yorker.
Gina Hinojosa’s Populism
Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic candidate for governor of Texas, quotes Steve Bannon’s maxim: 'As goes Tarrant County, so goes Texas, and so goes the world.'
“As goes Tarrant County, so goes Texas, and so goes the world.”
Tarrant County Shift
Democrats flipped a Senate seat held by Republicans for over thirty years in Tarrant County, a traditionally Republican area.
Hinojosa’s Campaign Strategy
Hinojosa aims to build a post-partisan campaign focusing on economic issues rather than ideological debates.
Economic Challenges in Texas
Texas has the country’s highest proportion of uninsured residents, with one in six households unable to afford food reliably.
School Voucher Bill
Abbott passed a voucher bill funneling hundreds of millions of dollars into private schools, drawing criticism for gutting public school budgets.
Hinojosa’s School Focus
Hinojosa fights to protect public schools, noting they are the largest employer in rural counties and struggling to retain teachers.
Latino Voter Shift
Hinojosa leads Abbott 56-40 among likely Latino voters, a key demographic in Texas with over fifty percent of the state’s Latino vote.
Hinojosa’s Pregnancy Story
Hinojosa shared her decision to carry a pregnancy to term despite a fetal anomaly diagnosis, a story that resonated with women in focus groups.
Data Center Policy
Hinojosa prioritizes regulating data centers, which have become a popular issue among voters of both parties in Texas.
Abbott’s Data Center Shift
Abbott reversed his position on data centers, announcing a moratorium on new developments and an audit of water and energy use.
Campaign Funding
Hinojosa has been begging, borrowing, and stealing every dollar to fund her campaign, with recent support from the Democratic Governors Association.
Latino Leader Support
Dozens of Latino leaders urged the Democratic Governors Association to commit ten million dollars to Hinojosa’s campaign, which offered a million.
Hinojosa’s Election Goal
Hinojosa aims to win the governorship by making the election a referendum on Abbott’s record rather than national Republican politics.
The short version
Gina Hinojosa, a Texas Democratic candidate, aims to win the governorship by focusing on economic issues and voter discontent with Republican policies.
