Overview
- The five-term representative announced her run in a video before a kickoff at a Blue Texas event in her hometown of Brownsville in the Rio Grande Valley.
- She is making defense of public education her signature issue, opposing private school vouchers and ESAs while pledging to lower costs, expand healthcare access, and curb corporate influence.
- Hinojosa, a former Austin ISD board president and civil rights and union lawyer, attacked Gov. Greg Abbott over big-donor influence, citing a reported $10 million contribution from GOP megadonor Jeff Yass.
- Her entry adds to a crowded Democratic field that includes Andrew White, rancher Bobby Cole, and Bay City council member Benjamin Flores, with other lesser-known candidates also in the race.
- Texas has not elected a Democrat statewide since 1994, and Abbott is seeking a fourth term with more than $80 million on hand after three double-digit victories.