More than 70 Latino Democratic leaders from across the country signed a letter this week pressing the Democratic Governors Association and its chair, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, to put real money behind Texas gubernatorial candidate Hinojosa, arguing the race has tightened enough to justify a serious investment.
The letter reflects growing frustration among Latino Democrats who say national party organizations have been slow to recognize Texas as a genuine battleground in the closing weeks of the campaign. The signatories want the DGA to commit staff, advertising dollars, and organizational resources to Hinojosa's operation before early voting accelerates.
Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, a Texas Democrat, amplified that frustration publicly. "How much more evidence" of "strength in Texas" does the party "have to see before they support her in a real way?" Castro said.
The push comes as Democratic strategists increasingly view Texas as competitive, driven by shifting demographics, suburban swings, and record Latino voter registration in the state. Texas holds 40 electoral votes and has not elected a Democratic governor since Ann Richards in 1990.
Hinojosa's campaign has gained ground in recent polling, though she still trails in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide offices for three decades. Democratic operatives argue that even a narrow loss could force Republicans to spend money in Texas that would otherwise flow to battlegrounds like Pennsylvania and Georgia.
The DGA, which is chaired by Beshear, has not publicly responded to the letter. The organization typically allocates resources based on internal polling and fundraising benchmarks, and Texas has historically fallen short of the thresholds needed to unlock major investment.
Latino leaders argue that calculation is outdated. They point to the state's 11.4 million Hispanic residents, who make up roughly 40% of the population, and to recent special election results that show Democratic overperformance in suburban and border districts.
The letter is the second round of pressure this cycle from Latino Democrats, who have warned that failing to compete in Texas could depress turnout among the fastest-growing segment of the party's base. Several signatories have said they will redirect their own fundraising networks if the DGA does not act.
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has maintained a fundraising advantage, reporting more than $60 million in his campaign account earlier this year. Democrats acknowledge the gap but argue that targeted spending in the final weeks could narrow margins enough to matter down-ballot.
Early voting in Texas begins in late October, giving the DGA a narrow window to decide whether to escalate its involvement before ballots are cast.
