Texas Conservatives Back Democrat Gina Hinojosa as Abbott Lead Shrinks to 1 Point
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 24
Texas Conservatives Back Democrat Gina Hinojosa as Abbott Lead Shrinks to 1 Point
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 24
Summary
A small but vocal group of Texas conservatives says it will split tickets in November, backing Democrat Gina Hinojosa for governor while some still support Republicans in other races.
Data centers have become a key trigger for that revolt: Hinojosa wants a moratorium, while critics say Greg Abbott has pushed projects they link to noise, water strain and opaque decision-making.
The shift matters because a recent Fox News poll put Hinojosa within 1 point of Abbott, and Cook Political Report moved the race from solid to likely Republican; the Paxton-Talarico Senate race is rated a toss-up.
Break Rank organizers say about 100 voters have joined so far, but Texas Republicans have rarely split tickets and no Democrat has won statewide office there since 1994.
Hinojosa argues a Democratic governorship could also block further GOP congressional gerrymandering, though analysts say she still needs 10% to 15% of Republican voters and faces expected attacks on her liberal record.