Who is Gina Hinojosa, who is running for governor?
February 19, 2026
This article provides the most detailed information about Gina Hinojosa.
Gina Hinojosa Early Life
Gina Hinojosa grew up in Austin, Texas, in a Hispanic-American family deeply rooted in community life. While details about her parents and siblings remain private, her upbringing instilled in her the values of education, fairness, and service.
Gina earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School, which prepared her for a career in law and public service.
Family Details
Gina is married to John Donisi, and they have two children. She often mentions that her son attends public school, giving her personal motivation to improve Texas’s education system.
Gina’s legal career began with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the law firm Kator, Parks & Weiser, where she contributed to the 2005 lawsuit against Tom DeLay.
She later became president of the Austin ISD board, tackling issues of school finance and accountability.
In 2016, she was elected to the Texas House of Representatives and assumed office in 2017, succeeding long-time legislator Elliott Naishtat. She has since been re-elected multiple times, consistently supported by her district.
Her bipartisan work in 2025 on House Bill 5419 showcased her ability to find common ground in a polarized political environment.
Political Views and Advocacy
Gina Hinojosa is a progressive Democrat whose legislative priorities focus on:
Public Education: She strongly opposes school vouchers, charter school expansion without accountability, and cuts to teacher retirement benefits. She supports higher teacher pay, safer schools, and equitable funding.
Social Justice: She advocates for immigrant rights, affordable housing, women’s healthcare, and workers’ protections. Her legal aid background shaped her stance on fairness and equal opportunity.
Democracy & Redistricting: Hinojosa has been outspoken against gerrymandering, participating in quorum-breaking protests to block unfair maps.
Climate & Environment: While not her central platform, she has supported bills promoting clean energy and environmental protections, reflecting Austin’s progressive values.
Healthcare: She supports expanding Medicaid in Texas and improving access to healthcare for low-income families.
Gina Hinojosa
Her political philosophy emphasizes that the government should work for the people, not special interests or wealthy donors.
Net Worth
Estimated Net Worth
$300,000–$500,000 (2025)
Income Sources
Legislative salary, legal work
Gina’s net worth is estimated between $300,000 and $500,000 in 2025. Most of her income comes from her legislative role and her previous legal career.
Controversies
Quorum-Breaking (2025): Gina joined Democratic lawmakers in breaking quorum to protest redistricting, traveling out of state. This sparked backlash from Republican leaders, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attempted to remove her. She defended her actions as “standing up for democracy.”
School Voucher Debate (2025): She openly clashed with Governor Greg Abbott, accusing him of favoring billionaire donors like Jeff Yass. Abbott called her a liar, but she released a public video defending her position, emphasizing her duty to protect teachers and students.
