# Gina Hinojosa Becomes Texas' First Latina Governor

> Gina Hinojosa, 52, wins Texas governor race, becoming the state's first Latina leader and first woman since 1994.
- Title: Gina Hinojosa Becomes Texas' First Latina Governor | Shortify
- Summary: Gina Hinojosa, 52, wins Texas governor race, becoming the state's first Latina leader and first woman since 1994.
- Keywords: gina hinojosa, rio grande valley, texas governor, latina, democratic party, brownsville, lupe votes, voto latino, Texastribune
- Source: Texastribune — https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17515675/gina-hinojosa-first-latina-governor-texas
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: gina hinojosa, rio grande valley, texas governor, latina, democratic party, brownsville, lupe votes, voto latino, news, local
## Gina Hinojosa's Roots
Gina Hinojosa, 52, becomes Texas' first Latina governor, drawing inspiration from her Rio Grande Valley roots.

> i am a daughter of the rio grande valley
## Historic Victory
Hinojosa's win marks the first time a Latina has led Texas, shattering expectations for the Rio Grande Valley region.

> where no one would have imagined that one day a little girl from the rgv would stand before you here as the next governor of the greatest state, texas
## Valley Population
Hispanic residents make up 41% of Texas' population, over 90% in the Rio Grande Valley due to its border location.

> in the valley, they make up more than 90% of the population
## Political History
The Valley has a long political history as a Democratic stronghold, central to farm workers' rights movements.

> the 1966 melon strike
## Family Background
Hinojosa's father, Gilberto Hinojosa, was a Cameron County judge and former Texas Democratic Party chair.

> his father, gilberto hinojosa, is the former chair for the texas democratic party who also served as cameron county judge
## Border Voter Surge
Hispanic voters in border counties drove an 8% increase in voter turnout, more than any other region in Texas.

> texas' democratic sweep on tuesday was powered by hispanic voters along the border
## LUPE Votes Impact
LUPE Votes, a Latino civil rights group, helped elect Democratic candidates and hopes to work with Hinojosa on census and voting rights.

> what a great honor to have the governor of the great state of texas being represented by somebody who was born and raised in the rio grande valley
## Community Impact
Hinojosa's win shows Latino children across Texas what they are capable of achieving.

> she has never lived in a texas that has been led by a mexicana, by a latina
## Key takeaway

Gina Hinojosa, a Rio Grande Valley native, becomes Texas' first Latina governor, ending decades of political isolation for Hispanic communities.