Gov. Greg Abbott enters the 2026 race with $106 million cash on hand, dwarfing Democrat Gina Hinojosa's $1.3 million from late 2025. The incumbent Republican uses his financial edge to court law enforcement through memorials and awards, while Hinojosa pressures him on gas prices four days before the El Paso Times spotlighted their dueling events. A February University of Houston poll gives Abbott a 49%-42% lead, but Hinojosa's affordability attacks test his dominance ahead of November.
Abbott Locks In Public Safety Voters
Gov. Greg Abbott spoke at the Texas Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony in Austin, where he presented medals to families of fallen officers. The event reinforces his record on border security and police backing, core to his three-term tenure. Republicans hold every statewide office in Texas, and Abbott's moves solidify that bloc.
He also opened nominations for the 2026 Star of Texas Awards, honoring first responders killed or injured on duty. Submissions close June 15, giving local leaders a direct line to his administration via the governor's office announcement. Law enforcement unions endorsed Abbott in past cycles; these gestures ensure their turnout in a state where crime ranks as a top voter concern.
Abbott seeks a fourth term, as noted on the 2026 election page. His strategy targets rural counties and suburbs, where public safety sways independents. Hinojosa, a state representative from Austin, must overcome this to flip the governorship.
Hinojosa Hammers Gas Prices and Daily Costs
Gina Hinojosa won the Democratic primary on March 3 and now challenges Abbott head-on, per Houston Public Media. She launched her bid in October 2025, building a platform around kitchen-table issues. Recent stops include El Paso, where she rallied on gas prices, water access, schools, and inequality, according to KFOX14 reporting.
On April 23, Hinojosa demanded Abbott suspend the state gas tax via emergency powers during a press conference on her campaign site. Gas hit $3.20 per gallon statewide last week, squeezing commuters in car-dependent Texas. She frames Abbott as out of touch, tying his policies to rising costs at the pump and grocery store.
Democrats see urban and Latino voters as her path. El Paso County went 60% for Biden in 2020; Hinojosa's rally there aims to boost turnout. Her focus contrasts Abbott's elite events, positioning her as the fighter for working families.
