In a move that brings personal tragedy into the public arena, Democratic candidate for governor State Rep. Gina Hinojosa released a 60‑second television ad titled “Her Story.” The spot, which first aired on Aug. 31, tells the story of Hinojosa’s decision 23 years ago to continue a pregnancy after genetic testing revealed a serious unborn‑child anomaly.
Ad content and political context
“My husband and I were overjoyed, expecting our first until an unimaginable diagnosis,” Hinojosa says in the ad. “The doctor said, ‘I need you to understand, she’s not going to live.’ I understood, but I chose her.” The ad does not mention abortion rights, yet the repeated use of the word “choice” resonates in a state that has enacted some of the nation’s toughest anti‑abortion statutes, banning abortions after six weeks with no exceptions for rape, incest or fetal anomalies.
Hinojosa, a 52‑year‑old Catholic who voted against the state ban and other anti‑abortion measures during nine years representing a liberal Austin district, first shared her story on the House floor five years ago while opposing the ban. Under the current law, she would not have had a legal option to terminate the pregnancy.
Republican incumbent’s record
Three‑term Republican Governor Greg Abbott, also Catholic, has repeatedly highlighted his own family story, adopting a daughter who chose not to have an abortion after a crisis‑pregnancy‑center visit. Abbott has signed numerous anti‑abortion measures, including the state’s effective ban, and continues to champion policies that protect unborn life.
Polls and campaign reactions
Recent polling shows Hinojosa within a percentage point of Abbott, a tight margin that underscores the race’s competitiveness. The same polls note growing dissatisfaction among some of Abbott’s conservative base over issues such as data‑center incentives, public‑school vouchers and the state’s economy.
Democratic strategist Manny Garcia, based in Austin, said the ad “taps into frustration among Texas voters” and highlights “the real‑life concern of what people actually go through, especially in an area with reduced access to health‑care services, dealing with a Republican regime that has made it harder for women to talk to their doctors.”
Conservative response
Even some Republican observers acknowledge the ad’s potential impact, particularly among Catholic Latino voters who supported President Trump in 2024 but have shown signs of drifting away from the party. GOP strategist Brendan Steinhauser called the ad “sad but endearing, something people can relate to,” but added, “It’s showing the human side of her… she’s trying to have it both ways because she chose, but she chose life.”
John Seago, president of Texas Right to Life, labeled the ad “hypocritical,” accusing Hinojosa of “deceiving voters” by appearing pro‑life while maintaining a pro‑choice voting record. He noted that his organization’s recent pro‑life scorecard gave Hinojosa a 0 percent rating for the last legislative session.
Governor Abbott’s campaign attacks
Abbott’s campaign has already taken aim at Hinojosa on social media, dubbing her “Job Killer Gina” and warning that “Gina wants to turn your school into a gender transition camp.” While the governor has not directly addressed the abortion issue in response to the ad, his spokesperson declined to comment on the specific content.
What voters should consider
Hinojosa argues that the ad’s message is that abortion should not be a partisan issue, emphasizing “life is complicated” and urging Texans to connect across party lines. Yet the ad’s subtle framing of “choice” amid Texas’ strict unborn‑child laws raises questions about how the candidate’s personal narrative aligns with her legislative record.
As the governor’s race tightens, both campaigns will likely continue to leverage personal stories and faith‑based appeals to sway undecided voters, especially in swing regions of the state.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
