By Pat Trevino | June 28, 2026
Victoria, Texas — Texas State Representative Gina Hinojosa, now campaigning statewide as a Democratic candidate for Governor, visited Victoria this week as part of her South Texas outreach tour. The event drew educators, community advocates, local supporters, and a strong showing of DeWitt, and Lavaca County Democrats, reflecting growing regional engagement ahead of the November 2026 statewide election.
Hinojosa has built a reputation as one of the Legislature’s strongest voices on school funding and government accountability, and ethics reform emphasized that South Texas communities like Victoria are central to her campaign. Her appearance at a civic gathering on North Navarro underscored her commitment to reaching voters in regions often overlooked by statewide candidates.
During her visit, Hinojosa spoke about the challenges facing Texas families, pointing to rising property taxes, strained school budgets, and the growing cost of living. She argued that the state’s current leadership has “shifted priorities away from everyday Texans,” and she pledged to refocus state government on practical solutions rather than political conflict.
Hinojosa’s platform centers on expanding access to healthcare, strengthening rural hospitals, and reversing years of underinvestment in public schools. She highlighted the need for a statewide teacher pay raise, increased mental‑health resources for students, and a renewed commitment to local control in school districts. Her message resonated with several Victoria educators in attendance, who said they appreciated her willingness to address classroom realities rather than partisan talking points.
Economic growth and rural infrastructure were also central themes. Hinojosa called for targeted support for small businesses and expanded job‑training and workforce development programs to help rural Texans compete in a changing economy. She emphasized the need for stronger infrastructure investments, including reliable transportation networks, improved flood‑mitigation planning, and modernized utilities and broadband access. Communities like Victoria, she noted, depend on these improvements to sustain long‑term growth and stability.
Throughout the event, Hinojosa emphasized transparency and ethics in state government, pledging to strengthen oversight of state agencies and restore public confidence in Austin. She criticized what she described as “political theatrics” that have overshadowed practical governance, saying Texans deserve leadership focused on results rather than headlines.
Her stop in Victoria is part of a broader effort to connect with voters across the Crossroads region, where both parties are working to energize supporters ahead of the 2026 election cycle. While Victoria County traditionally leans conservative, Democratic candidates have increasingly visited the area to build visibility and engage with local concerns. The presence of several De Witt and Lavaca Democrats at the event highlighted the growing political engagement across DeWitt County and the surrounding region.
Hinojosa’s campaign staff said she plans additional visits to nearby counties in the coming months as she continues to introduce her platform to communities across South Texas. With the governor’s race expected to draw significant statewide attention, her outreach in Victoria reflects a strategy aimed at expanding the Democratic presence beyond major metropolitan areas.
As the campaign season progresses, residents are encouraged to follow official announcements from the Texas Secretary of State and local election offices for verified information about candidates and voting procedures.