Hinojosa wins Texas governorship over Abbott

Resident voters in Dallas County participated in a state election that resulted in a historic shift in state leadership. Democratic candidates defeated their Republican opponents in four governorial races on Tuesday, altering the balance of power in statehouses across the country.

In Texas, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term Gov. Greg Abbott. The victory makes Hinojosa the first Latina chief executive in Texas history. President Donald Trump won the state by nearly 14 points in 2024. The last time a Democrat held the office in Texas was more than 30 years ago.

In Georgia, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson. Bottoms will become the first Black female governor in U.S. history. Her win breaks a 24-year streak of Republican control in that state office. In Iowa, state Auditor Rob Sand beat Republican Zach Lahn. Sand becomes the first Democrat to lead that state in 20 years, despite Trump winning Iowa by 13 points in 2024.

In Ohio, Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. Acton succeeds GOP Gov. Mike DeWine. These four flips reduce the Republican advantage in governorships, which stood at 26-24 entering the election. A total of 36 gubernatorial contests were on the ballot this year.

Andy Beshear, chair of the Democratic Governors Association and governor of Kentucky, released a statement regarding the results. “This incredible milestone marks a new era of Democratic leadership in states across the country,” Beshear said. He noted that the party stayed focused on major issues impacting Americans daily.

Democrats also maintained control in other swing states. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley defeated GOP Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin to succeed Gov. Tony Evers. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro won re-election by a margin of more than 20 points. Tight races remained in Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan early Wednesday morning.

Three Black candidates won governorial races on Tuesday. Along with Bottoms in Georgia, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore in Maryland and Republican Byron Donalds in Florida secured their positions. This marks the first time in U.S. history that more than one Black governor serves simultaneously.