Gina Hinojosa Aims to Make Texas Blue Again

About this episode

<p>The Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton dominates the news out of Texas, but, in the race for governor, a Democratic state legislator is also running neck and neck with the longtime Republican incumbent, Greg Abbott. Gina Hinojosa is likely leading among independents by as much as twenty-three per cent, according to one recent poll. She tells David Remnick that opposition to data centers and to Abbott’s school-voucher program could lead to a blue wave in Texas. “Nobody in 2026 in Texas has the luxury of fighting culture wars,” Hinojosa says. “We've been doing that for ten years, and we're all worse off.” But, Remnick notes, she seems to hold her fire when it comes to Donald Trump. “Listen, I have to win Trump voters to win this race,” she replies. “Latinos went for Trump in Texas.&nbsp;.&nbsp;.&nbsp;. I don't think it is helpful to rub their noses in his failures.”</p><p>Further reading:</p><ul><li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-republicans-are-messing-with-texas#rid=413e576e-f1be-4dfe-8b2a-a72d8a166762&amp;q=gina+hinojosa" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>The Republicans Are Messing with Texas</u></a>,” by Peter Slevin</li><li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/02/13/the-astonishing-transformation-of-austin" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>The Astonishing Transformation of Austin</u></a>,” by Lawrence Wright</li></ul><p><br>New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, <i>New Yorker</i> staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians.</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>