Governor
November 3, 2026 · Texas · Statewide · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 6 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 30,188,424 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(39,287,377 ÷ 30,188,424) ÷ ln(39,287,377 ÷ 582,397) = 6.26, comparing all statewide districts nationwide (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
Governor is responsible for:
- Running the state government and its agencies
- Proposing the state budget
- Signing state bills into law, or vetoing them
- Appointing state officials and, in many states, judges
- Commanding the state National Guard during emergencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Gina Hinojosa
Democratic · declared
Gina Hinojosa is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Governor of Texas, challenging incumbent Republican Greg Abbott. A civil-rights and labor lawyer, she served on the Austin ISD school board (elected 2012, later board president) before winning election to the Texas House in 2016, representing central Austin's District 49 since 2017. A McAllen native and daughter of former Texas Democratic Party chair Gilberto Hinojosa, she holds a UT-Austin degree and a George Washington University law degree. She won the March 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary with about 60%.
Records: Civil Rights 1 for, Healthcare Affordability 1 for, Public Education Quality 1 for
Greg Abbott
Republican · Incumbent · declared
Greg Abbott is the 48th Governor of Texas, in office since 2015 and seeking a fourth term in 2026. Previously he served as Texas Attorney General (2002-2015) and as a justice on the Texas Supreme Court (1996-2001). Paralyzed in a 1984 accident, he is the first governor of Texas to use a wheelchair. He holds a University of Texas degree and a Vanderbilt law degree, and faces Democratic state Representative Gina Hinojosa in November.
Records: Government Efficiency 1 for, Public Education Quality 1 for, 1 against, Women's Reproductive Rights 1 against
Election sources
Source: sos.state.tx.us
Source: sos.state.tx.us