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District 49 Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa returned home to build support for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, in which she will face Republican incumbent Greg Abbott for the governor seat.
Hinojosa held a rally Sept. 14 at The Gremlin in McAllen and Tuesday at the Santa Fe Event Center in Brownsville.
Tommy Kubitschek, Hinojosa’s communications director, said the candidate’s main goal is to “bring back the American dream” for Texas residents.
“We are working hard, hitting counties all across the state,” Kubitschek said. “She is an incredible messenger for letting Texans know that we’re looking to build a state where we can have the American Dream back and put money back in Texans’ pockets … saving our public schools that are under threat.”
After the Brownsville rally, Hinojosa answered questions from the media and said it was great to be home in the RGV.
“It’s so good to be in family,” Hinojosa said. “I swear to God, everywhere I show up, people are like, ‘Eres mi prima, Gina.’”
She said big corporations have been disrespecting the people of Texas and it’s time to put Texans first.
“The corporations that are here need to respect the people of Texas,” Hinojosa said. “We need to make sure we’re investing in Texans and not global corporations, and that will be the difference when I’m governor.”
Gael Espinoza/THE RIDER
The democratic hopeful said she wants to help the public education system in Texas and make it right for the people.
“We have more than 150 school districts that only have four days of class because they don’t have enough to have five days of class,” Hinojosa said. “So, we save schools by canceling all the corrupt contracts and using that money to pay teachers here in Texas.”
She added people from Texas have economic struggles.
“That money is ours,” Hinojosa said. “And right now the government is bankrupt. We have to start using that money to build the government that is working for us.”
Nora Jaramillo, UTRGV political science senior and member of the UTRGV College Democrats, said it was great to attend the rally.
“I believe it’s important for the younger generation to stay informed, and overall see what the other candidates have to say about their ongoing races,” Jaramillo said. “I believe the vibes are really amazing and uplifting. I felt really inspired overall.”
As the election gets closer, Jaramillo said she hopes people go out and vote.
“I believe it’s really important for people out there to go vote, so I hope people do,” she said.
Hinojosa will face off against Abbott on Election Day Nov. 3. The last day to register to vote in Texas is Oct. 5.
Early voting begins Oct. 19 and ends Oct. 30.
UTRGV will have polling locations on both campuses during early voting: in Student Union Salón Gardenia on the Brownsville campus and the Student Academic Center on the Edinburg campus.
