How Hinojosa’s win in Texas could bite Beshear

AUSTIN, Texas — Gina Hinojosa’s stunning victory put Texas at the epicenter of a political earthquake — and the aftershocks could upend Andy Beshear’s path to the White House.

For months, increasingly frustrated Hinojosa allies publicly and privately pressured the Democratic Governors Association, which Beshear chairs, to help push her over the finish line, as many national Democrats and donors stayed on the sidelines. On Tuesday, Hinojosa dominated the race for the Texas governor’s mansion, riding a blue wave that swept Democrats into power across the country, including flipping six governorships in states won by President Donald Trump.

Latino operatives who spoke with POLITICO feel vindicated — and are turning their knives on Beshear ahead of a potential 2028 presidential bid.

“His presidential campaign is over,” said Sergio Gonzalez, a Democratic operative working on programs to turn out Latino voters in the midterms.