Becerra, Hinojosa Win Governor Races

Democrats Xavier Becerra in California and Gina Hinojosa in Texas were elected governor in the November 2026 midterm elections.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Hispanic

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Xavier Becerra was elected governor of California and Gina Hinojosa was elected governor of Texas on November 4, 2026. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated both victories at her news conference.

Why it matters

Hinojosa's win ended more than three decades of Republican control of the Texas governorship, while Becerra became the first Latino elected governor of California by popular vote. The results come as Democrats also won majorities in both houses of Congress in the midterm elections.

Becerra and Hinojosa are the first Latino governors elected in their states in this way, with Hinojosa also the first Hispanic woman elected governor of Texas. Nearly 40 million people of Mexican descent live in the United States, the population these results are being framed around.

The players

Claudia Sheinbaum

Sheinbaum is the President of Mexico who celebrated the election of the two governors at her news conference.

Xavier Becerra

Becerra is a former U.S. congressman, California attorney general, and secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden who won the California governorship.

Gina Hinojosa

Hinojosa is a Texas state legislator who joined the Texas House in 2017 and became the first Hispanic woman elected governor of Texas.

Greg Abbott

Abbott is the Republican governor of Texas whom Hinojosa defeated after more than three decades of Republican control of the office.

The details

Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton in California after serving in the U.S. House, as California attorney general, and as secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden. Hinojosa defeated incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas, having joined the Texas House of Representatives in 2017.

November 4, 2026: Becerra and Hinojosa win their gubernatorial elections.
January 2027: Democrats begin holding majorities in both houses of Congress.

Culture Shift

Hinojosa's win ends more than three decades of Republican control of the Texas governorship, marking a departure from that long-standing pattern. Becerra's victory adds to the growing presence of Latino leaders in statewide executive office in the United States.

For Latino voters and families, these results signal expanded representation in statewide leadership across two of the country's largest states. Residents of California and Texas will see new governors take office, with policy priorities centered on the cost of living and state-federal tensions.

The takeaway

Hinojosa and Becerra's victories show Latino candidates gaining top executive roles in states with large Hispanic populations. Readers following state politics can track how these new governors approach housing, healthcare, and immigration policy in the coming months.