Updated on: November 4, 2026 / 4:15 PM CST / CBS/AP. Texas will have its first new governor in 12 years when Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa takes office in January.

Hinojosa defeated three-term Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in Tuesday's midterm elections , becoming the first Democrat elected governor of Texas since Ann Richards in 1990. She will also become the third woman elected and first Latina to serve as governor in the state's history.

Despite her unexpected and impressive margin of victory, Hinojosa was not a household name before the election and most Texans were not familiar with her until recently.