President Donald Trump withdrew his support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott following Abbott’s defeat in the state’s gubernatorial election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. On the morning of the election, Trump posted on Truth Social that Abbott had his "Complete and Total Endorsement," describing him as an "exceptional Governor." However, after election results favored the challenger, Trump posted a different message labeling Abbott a "RINO" (Republican In Name Only) and attributing the loss to changes in Abbott's political approach over the previous six months.
The shift followed a victory by Democrat Gina Hinojosa, who defeated Abbott 52.8% to 45.7%, according to Associated Press results updated Wednesday evening. Hinojosa will be the first Democrat to serve as Texas governor in more than three decades and the first Latina to hold the office. During his concession speech, Abbott acknowledged the mathematical impossibility of a win, congratulated Hinojosa, and offered his assistance during the transition period, noting he was proud to have served as governor for 12 years.
Democratic candidates secured other victories in Texas and across the country. In Texas, James Talarico (D) defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in a race for the U.S. Senate. Nationally, Democrats won Senate seats in South Carolina with Annie Andrews, North Carolina with Roy Cooper, Iowa with Josh Turek, Kansas with Adam Hamilton, and Ohio with Sherrod Brown. These results have positioned the Democratic Party to take control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
The election results signal a change in the political leadership of Texas, a state that has not elected a Democratic governor in over 30 years. For the residents of Texas, this transition impacts the administration of state agencies and the execution of state laws. The shift in the state executive branch, combined with the loss of a long-term incumbent, means that Hinojosa will oversee the state’s budget and policy priorities starting in early 2027.
The scale of the shift extends to the federal level, where the transfer of House and Senate control affects how federal laws are passed and how the executive branch is overseen. With Democrats poised to lead both chambers, the legislative agenda will likely shift toward Democratic priorities.
The immediate focus for Texas officials is the transition between the Abbott and Hinojosa administrations. While Abbott has pledged to assist Hinojosa's team, the specific dates for the handover of power and the swearing-in ceremony were not reported. Trump, meanwhile, has continued to comment on the results from the White House, where he recently appeared in the East Wing to discuss renovations to the building's ballroom.