Texas Democratic governor candidate Gina Hinojosa and incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott traded barbs on their visions of the Texas economy.
As gas prices hit $4 a gallon in Texas on Thursday, May 7, the Hinojosa campaign noted, new reporting from E&E News by Politico highlights how surging energy costs are shaping the governor’s race.
Hinojosa has contended throughout her gubernatorial bid that Abbott has refused to use his power to give Texans immediate relief.
After 12 years of Texans paying the “Greg Abbott Corruption Tax,” the “system has grift all throughout it,” Hinojosa told E&E News. “The system is working against the people who are funding it, the taxpayer.”
She further argued Texans are paying $1 more per gallon for gas and $2 more for diesel than last year. On data centers, instead of making billionaires pay their fair share, Abbott is going to let working families absorb the cost on their electric bills, Hinojosa said.
Hinojosa has already called on Abbott to suspend the state’s 20-cents-per-gallon gasoline tax to give motorists some relief. She said in a news release that the price increases on Texas bills the “Greg Abbott Corruption Tax” and jabbed Abbott as the “mordida governor,” using the Spanish slang for a bribe or payoff.
Gov. Greg Abbott boasts ‘prosperous’ Texas economy
In response to Hinojosa’s claims about struggling Texas families, Gov. Greg Abbott again touted how prolific the state has been in job creation.
Abbott cited U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data, showing that Texas led all states with a gain of 46,800 nonfarm jobs in March.
“Texas is where free enterprise flourishes and jobs grow,” Abbott said in a Wednesday, May 6, news release. “With the best business climate in the nation and a highly skilled and growing workforce, Texas is America’s economic engine. There is no better place to build a business, raise a family, and pursue a more prosperous future.”
The Abbott campaign also noted Texas has now gained nearly 2.6 million jobs since January 2015 when he took office.
The announcement comes on the heels of the state taking home the 2026 Prosperity Cup awarded annually by Site Selection magazine to the top-performing state for job-creating business investment.
Abbott also underscored Labor market data released Friday by the Texas Workforce Commission that shows:
Important dates for 2026 Texas election
The last day to register to vote for the General Election is Oct. 5, either online, by mail, or in person.
Early voting starts Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30. The absentee ballot request deadline is Oct. 23, by mail or Oct. 19, in person. The absentee ballot return deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 3, by mail or in person on Election Day.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Gov. Greg Abbott, Gina Hinojosa talk economy in Texas governor race
Reporting by Kristian Jaime, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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