Hinojosa’s victory over Abbott, a three-term incumbent, triggers a political earthquake in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the governor’s mansion since 1990.

Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Gov. Greg Abbott for governor Tuesday, denying the Republican a record fourth term and triggering a political earthquake in a state that has not seen a Democrat sit in the governor’s mansion this century.

Abbott conceded at 10 p.m. at his results watch party. He said he had just gotten off the phone with Hinojosa to congratulate her.

“I love our state. It has been an honor to serve it. And know that we are leaving Texas in far better shape than it’s ever been. Together, we’ve accomplished a lot,” he said.

With a populist campaign promise to revitalize public schools and purge state government of undue corporate and billionaire influence, Hinojosa overcame a more than four-to-one spending disparity to topple the three-term Republican incumbent as part of a blue wave that washed over a long drought-ridden state for Democrats.

Though he launched his reelection bid with the power of incumbency, seemingly limitless fundraising and extensive party infrastructure in place, Abbott was ultimately unable to withstand the intense political headwinds facing the GOP this cycle.

    • protist@retrofed.comEnglish
      3·
      1 day ago

      The Texas Tribune is going by official projections issued by the AP. The AP didn’t call some races last night until well after the losers had conceded. For many of these House races, the outcomes are almost certain, just not quite certain enough for the AP to make the official call

      • baronvonj@piefed.socialEnglish
        1·
        1 day ago

        But if you scroll through all the undecided races, the margins are generally pretty small. They’re almost all under 1 point difference, some even just a tenth of a point. I can’t imagine they don’t end up with at least one recount and some law suits. I can understand not wanting to call those races yet.