Even asking the question is a step forward.
Rep. Gina Hinojosa
Dozens of Latino lawmakers and leaders are pressuring Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, to invest $10 million in the Texas governor’s race, according to a letter to Beshear that Axios obtained.
- Texas state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who polls suggest is running a strong challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott (R), is trying to become Texas’ first Latino governor. Beshear must decide soon how to invest the DGA’s cash in the 36 states with governor’s races in November.
Why it matters: Beshear is considering a presidential run in 2028. Latino voters are critical in the early primary states of Nevada and New Mexico, and are a key swing vote in general elections.
- Beshear’s decision on where to spend tens of millions in DGA money this fall is an early test of his political instincts — and whether he can carry out an effective campaign strategy without making enemies that could cost him in a 2028 primary.
Zoom in: The signees of the letter — which include Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, a potential rival of Beshear’s in the presidential primary — wrote that “not investing in Texas would not only send a message to Latino voters in 2026, but it sends a message to Latino voters heading into 2028.”
- “No other candidate in recent history has come this close to winning the Governor’s Mansion in Texas, and we are proud that it is now a Latina that made this a close race, but unfortunately, she has done so without real investment from DGA,” the letter says of Hinojosa.
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What they’re saying: “While there will certainly be more investment, announcing a figure would only advantage the [Republican Governors Association] in any counter-investment. I look forward to working with the signees of the letter in supporting Gina,” Beshear told Axios in a statement.
- He said Hinojosa “has proven herself to be a great candidate” and that the DGA is “currently investing by paying expenses and recently providing staff.”
- DGA communications director Sam Newton added: “As the race in Texas becomes increasingly competitive in the final stretch, we will be ready to capitalize on any opportunity to make a real difference.”
Zoom out: The letter to Beshear is also signed by several members of Congress from Texas, including Rep. Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Rep. Joaquin Castro.
- They argued that an Abbott victory wouldn’t affect just Texas but the U.S. House of Representatives.
- They wrote that Abbott will further gerrymander the state and take away up to 10 more Democratic-held congressional seats over the next four years.
- “The only way to stop it is to elect Gina Hinojosa as governor of Texas, who has promised to veto illegal maps,” they wrote.
And this came out before that ReconMR poll. like nothing more than a few million dollars spent here to support Gina Hinojosa. There are similar organizations for Lieutenant Governors and Attorneys General, the same can and should be said for Vikki Goodwin and Nathan Johnson – imagine a Texas that isn’t on the wrong side of every lawsuit filed against the federal government. This would also benefit James Talarico and who knows how many candidates for Congress and the Lege. But it starts with Hinojosa, and I’m more than happy to have the pressure being put on the scale for us. Even a little bit would be appreciated, Governor Beshear.