Hinojosa Leads Abbott in Texas Early Vote
Democratic challengers hold advantages in both top state races with six percent of precincts reporting.
By Ivan Dvorak ·
Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin holds a 11-point lead over incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas's gubernatorial race, according to preliminary data released on Nov. 4.
The secretary of state reported these figures after six percent of precincts submitted early voting and Election Day results. Hinojosa had accumulated 55 percent of the vote in the governor's contest. Abbott trailed at 44 percent, while Libertarian candidate Pat Dixon captured one percent.
A similar trend appeared in the lieutenant governor's race. Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, also of Austin, led Republican incumbent Dan Patrick of Houston. Goodwin secured 53 percent of the reported ballots. Patrick held 45 percent, with Libertarian Anthony Cristo and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick each receiving one percent.
Hinojosa seeks to become the first Latina to hold the governor's office. She also aims to be the first Democrat to lead Texas in over three decades. Abbott is running for a fourth term as the state's chief executive.
Patrick is seeking a fourth term as the presiding officer of the Texas Senate and the second-highest elected official in the state. Election records indicate that Republicans currently occupy every statewide office on the ballot. No Democrat or third-party candidate has won a statewide race in Texas since 1994.
