The crowded field in the Democratic primary for governor might confuse some voters when they go to the polls.
It shouldn’t. There is only one serious choice, and that is state Rep. Gina Hinojosa.
She not only gives Democrats their best chance to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott after a dozen years, but she also gives them a voice that can balance progressive impulses with a grounded message that could resonate beyond her base.
Hinojosa, 52, is a child of Texas politics. Her father, Gilberto Hinojosa, is a legendary Democrat who led the state party. Her own start in politics was on the Austin ISD school board, and much of her policy focus remains on public education.
Opinion
Hinojosa’s views in that area diverge from our own. She’s a traditionalist who believes in the old neighborhood public school model, limiting or eliminating the current testing and accountability structure, and adding yet more funding for teacher salaries.
She demonstrated important and interesting nuance in many other areas, though. She’s unafraid to acknowledge that the Biden administration dropped the ball on the border. Even as she criticizes Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, she talks about border representatives getting together in 2023 to insist the Biden administration do its part.
She also sees, correctly in our view, that Republicans have lost the trust of many border residents.
“It’s politically really a 180 in these border regions that were very angry about border security last election,” she said. “Now, people are very angry about the way their communities and families are being targeted.”
She is adept at seizing on spaces like that, where voters have lost trust. Her messaging around Abbott’s focus on benefiting big corporations and pet donors could land with voters who feel like no matter how hard they work, they can’t get ahead.
Her ideas on creating tax incentives to benefit small Texas businesses to encourage their growth against large corporations deserve a real hearing.
The strongest candidate in the field against Hinojosa is former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell, 66, of Houston. Bell is a gentleman of Texas politics who has become increasingly progressive over time. We don’t see his campaign as strong enough to muster a serious challenge against Hinojosa and certainly not against Abbott.
Other candidates include sincere people like Zach Vance, a computer-aided design professional and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Jose Navarro Balbuena, an entrepreneur and small business owner. We met with both and, like others on the ballot, they are not prepared for this office.
Hinojosa is putting in the work to traverse the state. Unlike Abbott, she’s willing to talk to people who might disagree with her and challenge her perspective. She’s shown she’s capable of thinking through issues outside of the left/right binary we are all stuck in.
We encourage Democrats to cast their ballot for her.
This editorial is part of the Dallas Morning News Editorial Board’s slate of recommendations for the 2026 primary. Find the full project here.
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