Gov. Greg Abbott has stepped up his gender politics attack on his Democratic opponent, Gina Hinojosa, in a political ad released by his campaign
In it, his campaign claims Hinojosa supports "the gender mutilation of children," citing her 2023 vote against protecting minors from dangerous, experimental, and life-changing medical decisions as outlined in SB14.
"Radical Gina would rather trans your kids than protect them, educate them, or prepare them for a successful future. It’s disgraceful. From prosecuting parents who ‘misgender’ their own child to voting in favor of Texas public schools transitioning kids behind parents’ backs, Hinojosa is a rubber stamp for the Socialist Democrats and their gender insanity," said Eduardo Leal, Texans for Greg
Abbott Press Secretary.
The Abbott campaign also reminded voters of Hinojosa's 2025 vote against protecting parents from being investigated and charged with child abuse or neglect should they refuse to affirm their child’s new gender identity or sexual orientation in HB 1106.
The Abbott campaign contended Hinojosa "wants public school bureaucrats to be able to socially transition kids" in secret – away from their parents – and supports the idea that parents who refuse to change their child’s gender should be investigated and prosecuted for abuse or neglect.
Hinojosa decries 'cheap insults' from Abbott campaign
Following the statement by Abbott's camp, Hinojosa said, "eleven months into our campaign, Greg Abbott (tried) to spark another useless culture war. Abbott is resorting to cheap insults because after 12 years in office, he can’t defend his record. Greg Abbott wants to talk about anything other than the real issues facing Texas families because he’s the one who created them," she said in a news release through her campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
She again hammered Abbott on his education record and failure to address affordability in Texas.
As a former Austin ISD school board president, she has challenged Republican-led legislation targeting LGBTQ+ youth. During hearings for a bill aimed at banning Pride events in schools, Hinojosa criticized the legislation and defended the events, stating that the explicit goal of Pride events is to help all students feel included.
In committee hearings concerning bans on schools socially transitioning students, such as HB 1655, Hinojosa pushed back against regulations that would penalize educators, characterizing such measures as a mechanism for "prosecuting teachers again."
Important dates for 2026 Texas election
The last day to register to vote for the General Election is Oct. 5, either online, by mail, or in person.
Early voting starts Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30. The absentee ballot request deadline is Oct. 23 for mail requests or Oct. 19 for in-person requests. The absentee ballot return deadline is Nov. 3, by mail or in person on Election Day.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
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: Gov. Greg Abbott, Gina Hinojosa argue gender politics in governor race
