By the time Democratic candidate for Texas governor Gina Hinojosa finished her daylong campaign swing in El Paso, she made it clear to voters that Gov. Greg Abbott's tenure needs to end.
Hinojosa's packed schedule was more than a chance to address top issues
with voters — it was an opportunity to ensure voters knew she is running a competitive campaign to defeat Abbott with about two months left until the Nov. 3 General Election.Throughout her three stops in front of the El Paso County Courthouse, the University of Texas at El Paso campus and the East El Paso Firefighters Hall, the message was simple — She repeatedly argued that Abbott's leadership has allowed corruption and public policies that favor wealthy interests.
Hinojosa repeatedly argued
that Abbott's administration has been defined by corruption and policies that favor wealthy interests.
"This is a fight to decide if this is going to be a Texas that is by and for the people or for billionaires and we just live in it," Hinojosa said at an evening rally where she was joined by El Paso's former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, once one of the most popular Democrats in Texas.
"The American dream in this state was achieving success if you do your part and Texas would do its part. Greg Abbott has broken that deal. Even though Texans work more than the national average, we have the most people without health insurance in the country. We have the most people with disconnected electricity due to high bills."
Texas also has one of the highest rates of business bankruptcies nationally, she said. She also took aim at property taxes under Abbott.
Total local property tax levies in Texas have increased by approximately $37 billion since Abbott took office in 2015. In 2015, total property taxes collected statewide by local entities were $52.4 billion. By 2025, that total grew to roughly $89.4 billion.
That represents a 71% to 75% increase in total property tax collections across the state during his tenure, Texas Policy research claims.
"That is Greg Abbott's record. He owns it and the reason we pay more and get less in Texas is because we're all paying the Greg Abbott corruption tax," she said. "He has given $1 billion in no bid contracts to his donors. That's your money and mine. Then he took another $1 billion out of our public school and put in a voucher program for private schools."
Data centers also drew the ire of the crowd of supporters with Hinojosa claiming they gave Abbott an estimated $20 million in tax breaks to some of the nation's most profitable tech companies.
Under Abbott's tenure, a consensus among industry trackers and news analyses places the total number of operational data centers in Texas between 335 and 406, with hundreds more planned or under construction, reported the Texas Tribune.
The statewide map of data centers lists 537 active facilities across 44 distinct localized markets within Texas.
On Aug. 3, Abbott enacted a moratorium on new grid connections until state regulatory bodies can audit proposed facilities.
"Everywhere we go, Texans have their eyes wide open and they want change," Hinojosa said. "Democrats are winning all across the state because Texans are 'no te dejes' kind of people. We will end Greg Abbott's 30-year political career. When I'm governor, my agenda will be to secure the American dream."
Hinojosa supporters cross all demographics
Following the evening rally, many who were ready to celebrate a blue wave in Texas felt much more optimistic.
"I think her platform is fantastic and Gina will make change for Texas," said Luis Mata, an East El Paso resident. "People are tired of high taxes and data centers. So realistically, it's Gina's turn after 12 years of Greg Abbott and his corruption. She is right on track with her education plan and supporting teachers and she's right on track for the state of Texas."
Maria Ramos, a Far East El Paso resident with over 30 years of teaching experience, felt especially moved by Hinojosa's takedown of Abbott's voucher and changes to the Teacher Retirement System.
"It's been long overdue that we have someone to come in and fight for the people's rights," Ramos said. "We have issues and she addressed every single one. It used to be we had a few millionaires, but now we have billionaires and trillionaires because they get rich at our expense and many of politicians have everything to do with that."
Hinojosa's plan to reinvest in public education was welcomed by Ramos, who recalled that teachers do more than follow simple lesson plans.
"I know the work that goes into educating our children physically, mentally and emotionally," Ramos said. "We're there for them, often spending more time with them than their parents and we need to take care of teachers who do all that. There's so much more incidents in schools that just didn't happen before and that's because other issues just aren't being addressed."
Earlier in her visit, Hinojosa heard from UTEP students in a roundtable discussion, also joined by O'Rourke, and later while speaking to students in the Leech Grove Park area.
"I think what's really going to flip seats and make Texas blue is the corruption we're seeing throughout the state," said freshman Mauricio Fernandez, studying clinical laboratory science. "I think those issues that will resonate with college students are the right to our education and that means affordability. We should be able to invest in our own careers instead of worrying about having classes dropped because there were unresolved issues with our tuition funding."
Fernandez noted that Hinojosa's bid for governor is a reminder of how hard her campaign is working to rectify the state's issues.
A different sort of Democratic surge in Texas governor's race
In 2022, O'Rourke mounted his own campaign to try to unseat Abbott. Despite losing by 10.9 points. or 54.8% to 43.9%, it showed a Republican stalwart like Abbott could be vulnerable. It also solidified the possibility of an eventual blue wave
"For the first time in more than 50 years, there's a Democrat running for every spot on the ballot," O'Rourke said. "All 150 legislative seats and all 38 congressional seats and every other seat up and down the ballot is important. Having a fighter on every front means we can win these seats, and they can engage voters for Gina and James (Talarico)."
O'Rourke also contended that the Republican brand, starting with President Trump, have never been less popular. Issues like inflation, the Iran war, utility prices, strong-arm border security tactics, and data centers have contributed to that, he underscored.
"We're sending a clear message to Gov. Abbott that his days in office are numbered," said state Rep. Vincent Perez, D-El Paso. "Over the last 12 years that Greg Abbott has been governor, he's been so divisive. He's supposed to represent all of Texas and I have been a representative for two years and I've never met him.
"Gina's message is resonating with all Texans regardless of political party. That status quo just isn't working for them."
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Hinojosa, O'Rourke tell El Paso crowds Gov. Abbott's time is running out
