Democrat Gina Hinojosa Takes Down Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in Stunning Result

Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa has defeated Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a three-term Republican, NBC News projects, wresting control of the red-state governorship from Republicans for the first time since 1995.

Hinojosa’s projected victory, which will make her the state’s first Hispanic governor, comes after Abbott’s campaign outspent her by tens of millions of dollars. Abbott, who could have become Texas’ longest-serving governor had he won, initially looked poised to earn another term in what has been a ruby-red state for decades.

But changing demographics and a steadily worsening political environment for Republicans across the country and in Texas, where GOP nominees for several offices faced personal scandals and criticism, eventually took their toll on Abbott, too.

In a victory speech, Hinojosa said Abbott called to congratulate her, and she promised big changes coming to Texas.

{snip}

Hinojosa, who was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, was elected to the state House in 2016. Before she became a legislator, she was a civil rights and a labor lawyer.

{snip}

Hinojosa, who is a fluent Spanish speaker, also connected with Latino voters, who make up around one-third of the state’s electorate, throughout the campaign, both by releasing bilingual TV ads and holding town hall meetings in Spanish.

{snip}