State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Texas Governor, holds an event near the governor’s mansion in Austin as she presses Gov. Greg Abbott to participate in a debate.
Eleanor Dearman
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Democrat Gina Hinojosa would end existing state takeovers, like the one in the Fort Worth school district, if elected as Texas governor, she told reporters Thursday, Oct. 15.
Hinojosa, an Austin state representative who is facing Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for governor on Nov. 3, has made supporting public schools a top priority while on the campaign trail. Firing Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath on “Day One” in office is a campaign pledge, as is stopping state takeovers.
On Thursday, Hinojosa was asked if she could — and would — take any steps to direct the TEA to end existing takeovers, if she wins.
Her response was short and definitive.
“Yes, and I will,” Hinojosa said.
Hinojosa was addressing reporters near the Texas Governor’s Mansion in Austin, where her campaign had two podiums set up as she presses Abbott to debate her. The candidates haven’t debated, but Hinojosa has accepted invitations and proposed terms, according to her campaign. A mobile billboard was parked in view of the event, airing negative ads about Hinojosa.
Abbott has maintained his time is better spent on the campaign trial in communities than debating.
Morath announced in October 2025 that the Fort Worth School District’s board of trustees would be removed and replaced with state appointees. The decision came after the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade Center received its five consecutive failing scores in Texas’ A-F accountability ratings.
When that happens, per state law, the commissioner must either close the campus or take over the district. The campus in question had already been closed and merged with another by the time the takeover was announced, but Morath said many of the district’s schools were struggling.
Hinojosa elaborated on her position on state takeovers while answering another question at Thursday’s event.
“There is extreme discretion that the Texas Education Agency commissioner has when it comes to school takeovers and to return school districts to the people of the community — the parents and community members that have skin in the game and actually care the most and work the hardest to make sure that our schools succeed,” she said.
Hinojosa said she’ll appoint a new TEA commissioner who “respects local control and the role of parents and community in turning around struggling schools.”
A spokesperson for Abbott’s campaign did not immediately return a request for comment. At the time of the Fort Worth school district takeover, a spokesperson from the governor’s office said Abbott supported the state’s intervention in the North Texas district.
The governor weighed in on social media in February, responding to an article about students at Fort Worth-area schools participating in walkouts to protest ICE.
“THIS is a school district that Texas is taking over because the FWISD has failed students for 5 years in a row,” Abbott said in the Feb. 8 post on X. “Parents are fleeing FWISD & choosing school choice because they want their kids educated not indoctrinated. The State will course correct FWISD.”
Election Day is Nov. 3.
This story was originally published October 15, 2026 at 1:09 PM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Eleanor (Elly) Dearman is a Texas politics and government reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She’s based in Austin, covering the Legislature and its impact on North Texas. She grew up in Denton and has been a reporter for more than six years.
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