Rep. Gina Hinojosa, Democratic candidate for governor of Texas, is greeted by supporters at her rally at Eventos Licon on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Gina Hinojosa outlined her vision for Texans to reclaim the American Dream to over 300 people during her rally in Fort Worth on Tuesday.
The Democratic nominee for governor spoke about her plans to reform the public education system, make healthcare and electricity more affordable and combat data centers.
During the 2022 midterm elections, Gov. Greg Abbott won Tarrant County with just over 51% of votes. Hinojosa called Tarrant County “ground zero” for this election.
“The whole world is watching Tarrant County,” Hinojosa said.
The county’s voting patterns have long been seen as a indicator of what will happen in Texas and national elections.
Public education reform
Supporters of Rep. Gina Hinojosa, Democratic candidate for governor of Texas, cheer for her during a rally at Eventos Licon on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Taylor Eowers is a public school teacher with a son who has special needs. Eowers said his family is probably about to get kicked off of Medicare.
“A candidate who can bring both public education and children’s healthcare into the mix has 100% got my vote,” Eowers said.
Fort Worth ISD is one of eight school districts across the state that has been taken over by the Texas Education Agency due to consistent failing accountability ratings.
“We need to include parents, include the community as part of the solution when our schools are struggling,” Hinojosa said, adding that she is against the state taking over public schools.
Hinojosa said school districts face challenges due to underfunding, focusing on testing and the “teacher exodus” that has happened under Abbott. In the first three months following the state takeover, nearly 800 teachers resigned from Fort Worth ISD.
“We will save Texas schools because there can be no American dream without strong public schools,” Hinojosa said.
Affordability
Rep. Gina Hinojosa, Democratic candidate for governor of Texas, poses for a portrait at Eventos Licon on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Last week, Abbott came to Fort Worth to discuss his plan to lower property taxes. Hinojosa said she agreed property taxes are too high, but that she doesn’t believe in Abbott’s plan to lower taxes.
For the past three years, Tarrant County property tax rates have decreased, though the average property value has increased.
Hinojosa said she was for cutting property taxes for homeowners, but plans to eliminate property tax breaks given to global corporations. Due to exemptions for data centers, Texas could lose over $3.2 billion in sales tax revenue, according to Texas Tribune.
“We need to be investing in Texans, and homeownership is essential for the American dream in this country. We need to make that more affordable. Cutting property taxes is essential,” Hinojosa said.
Rep. Gina Hinojosa, Democratic candidate for governor of Texas, shakes a supporter’s hand during her rally at Eventos Licon on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Marian Ross has a friend who lives less than three miles away from a data center in Red Oak. Ross said when she goes to visit, she hears a constant buzz. Data centers and electricity prices are the main concerns for Ross during the midterm elections.
“It is the latest gold rush. Hundreds have descended upon Texas,” Hinojosa said of data centers.
Fort Worth currently has four data centers in operation using a combined 3 million square feet. Black Mountain is currently pursuing a $10 billion data center in Fort Worth. The Fort Worth City Council could implement a 90-day moratorium on data centers to go into effect early next year.
If elected, Hinojosa said she will pass a moratorium on data centers.
“We need to give locals a say on if and how these data centers come into their communities. Right now, they are powerless, and that is probably the largest source of anger that I’m hearing in rural Texas,” Hinojosa said.
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This story was originally published August 25, 2026 at 10:34 PM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Maven Navarro is a local news reporter at the Star-Telegram. She covers Fort Worth and Tarrant County.