Exclusive: Latino leaders pressure Beshear on Texas' race for governor
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Andy Beshear photo by Steph Chambers / Getty Images; Gina Hinojosa by Katina Zentz / San Antonio Express-News via Getty Images
Dozens of Latino lawmakers and leaders are pressuring Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, to invest $10 million in the Texas governor's race, according to a letter to Beshear that Axios obtained.
- Texas state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who polls suggest is running a strong challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott (R), is trying to become Texas' first Latino governor. Beshear must decide soon how to invest the DGA's cash in the 36 states with governor's races in November.
Why it matters: Beshear is considering a presidential run in 2028. Latino voters are critical in the early primary states of Nevada and New Mexico, and are a key swing vote in general elections.
- Beshear's decision on where to spend tens of millions in DGA money this fall is an early test of his political instincts — and whether he can carry out an effective campaign strategy without making enemies that could cost him in a 2028 primary.
Zoom in: The signees of the letter — which include Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, a potential rival of Beshear's in the presidential primary — wrote that "not investing in Texas would not only send a message to Latino voters in 2026, but it sends a message to Latino voters heading into 2028."
- "No other candidate in recent history has come this close to winning the Governor's Mansion in Texas, and we are proud that it is now a Latina that made this a close race, but unfortunately, she has done so without real investment from DGA," the letter says of Hinojosa.
There are 36 state governors' races this fall, including several in 2028 swing states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada and Georgia. And then there's Texas, where a Democrat hasn't won a statewide race in three decades.
- It's unclear how much money the DGA has for the November elections, but in the last midterm cycle, 2022, the DGA spent about $170 million.
- Texas is one of the most expensive states to campaign in, and Democratic leaders in Washington have been skeptical about flipping the state blue.
- Abbott, who is running for a fourth term as governor, has $67 million cash on hand compared with Hinojosa's $3 million, according to the latest finance report in July. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report labels the race "likely" Republican.
- Even so, most recent polls show Abbott with less than 50% support and Hinojosa within 5 points.
What they're saying: "While there will certainly be more investment, announcing a figure would only advantage the [Republican Governors Association] in any counter-investment. I look forward to working with the signees of the letter in supporting Gina," Beshear told Axios in a statement.
- He said Hinojosa "has proven herself to be a great candidate" and that the DGA is "currently investing by paying expenses and recently providing staff."
- DGA communications director Sam Newton added: "As the race in Texas becomes increasingly competitive in the final stretch, we will be ready to capitalize on any opportunity to make a real difference."
Zoom out: The letter to Beshear is also signed by several members of Congress from Texas, including Rep. Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Rep. Joaquin Castro.
- They argued that an Abbott victory wouldn't affect just Texas but the U.S. House of Representatives.
- They wrote that Abbott will further gerrymander the state and take away up to 10 more Democratic-held congressional seats over the next four years.
- "The only way to stop it is to elect Gina Hinojosa as governor of Texas, who has promised to veto illegal maps," they wrote.
Between the lines: As the DGA's chair, Beshear would have some advantages if he were to launch a White House run. He's building relationships across the country and glad-handing many potential donors.
- The potential downside is that the DGA has limited resources and Beshear could wind up creating 2028 foes, depending on which races he invests in and which he doesn't.
