Top Texas Democrat Steps Down Following Crushing Defeat

AUSTIN, TX — After devastating losses in Texas and across the nation, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa announced his resignation, signaling a critical shift in leadership for the party.

Despite years of optimism around the idea that "Texas is turning blue," Democrats in the Lone Star State suffered a bruising defeat, securing victories in only 11 of Texas' 254 counties. Particularly disheartening for the party were results in the historically Democratic Rio Grande Valley, where Republicans flipped all counties along the Rio Grande. Democrats’ successes were confined to urban strongholds: Harris and Fort Bend Counties (Houston area), Travis County (Austin), Dallas County, Bexar County (San Antonio), and El Paso County. The rest of the state solidified its deep Republican red.

Adding to the Democratic woes, former President Donald Trump handily defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in Texas, garnering 56.3% of the vote to her 42.4%. This near-16-point margin highlighted Texas’ firm Republican tilt, with a total of 11,340,202 votes cast. The U.S. Senate race offered little solace for Democrats, as Congressman Colin Allred struggled to mount a significant challenge against incumbent Senator Ted Cruz, who secured re-election with 53.12% of the vote compared to Allred’s 44.49%.

In the wake of these defeats, Hinojosa reflected on the party's challenges. “On Tuesday, the Democratic Party suffered devastating defeats up and down the ballot in Texas and across the country,” Hinojosa said. “Voters sent a clear message to our party and our country that they want our leaders to talk to them about issues that they care about most, including the economy.”

Hinojosa defended the Democrats’ record, citing President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure program and the party’s role in rebuilding the economy. However, he acknowledged a disconnect with voters. “Democrats delivered one of the best economies our country has had, but Americans just aren’t feeling it,” he said.

In a statement accompanying his resignation, Hinojosa emphasized the need for new leadership to guide the party forward. “It is imperative that our Democratic leaders across the country reevaluate what is best for our party and embrace the next generation of leaders to take us through the next four years of Trump and win back seats up and down the ballot,” he said.

Hinojosa announced he would formally step down in March 2025 at the Spring State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) meeting, urging party leaders to "pass the torch" to younger leaders capable of rebuilding the party’s fortunes.

Here is Hinojosa's full statement:

“On Tuesday, the Democratic Party suffered devastating defeats up and down the ballot In Texas and across the country. Voters sent a clear message to our party and our country that they want our leaders to talk to them about issues that they care about most, including the economy. Democrats delivered infrastructure funds to rebuild roads, bridges, ports, and airports. Democrats passed the most important climate investments in history. And though Democrats delivered one of the best economies our country has had, Americans just aren’t feeling it.

“In the days and weeks to come, it is imperative that our Democratic leaders across the country reevaluate what is best for our party and embrace the next generation of leaders to take us through the next four years of Trump and win back seats up and down the ballot. That is why today I’m announcing that I'll be stepping aside in the new year at the Spring SDEC meeting in March 2025, and passing the torch to the next generation. While this was a hard decision, it is the best decision for our party, and I encourage our national leaders and party leaders at all levels to join me in lifting up the next generation in order to unite our party as we take on Donald Trump."