El Paso – At a press conference on Monday, Reverend Dr. Jeff Hood, founder of the Execution Intervention Project and a spiritual advisor who has been present at 14 executions across the United States, appealed directly to Texas Governor‑elect Gina Hinojosa to end the state’s execution program.
Hood’s request and Hinojosa’s record
Hood reminded the audience that Hinojosa has publicly said she is morally opposed to the death penalty. “Now she holds power over the chamber that has killed more people than any other in the country,” he said, urging her to let her convictions guide policy.
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, Texas has executed 603 people since 1976, the highest total of any state since the death penalty was reinstated in 1973. In an October interview with CNN, Hinojosa explained that while she does not personally support capital punishment, she would consider each case individually if she became governor.
Why Hood says a moratorium is needed
Hood argued that the sheer number of inmates on death row makes a case‑by‑case approach impossible. “There is no case that can be purely observed, purely engaged,” he said. “If you are talking about engaging this on a case‑by‑case basis, then you are talking about a cessation of executions in Texas, at least for the moment.”
He presented a list of specific asks for Hinojosa, emphasizing that a moratorium would align state practice with her stated moral stance. “If her morals mean something, then I have no doubt there will be a moratorium on executions in Texas,” Hood concluded.
Political context
The appeal arrives as Texas continues to lead the nation in capital punishment, a policy that has drawn criticism from abolitionist groups and faith‑based organizations alike. While Hinojosa’s campaign has highlighted criminal‑justice reform, she has not yet detailed how she would reconcile her personal opposition with the legal authority of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, which oversees execution scheduling.
State legislators and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice have not indicated any immediate changes to the execution schedule. The next scheduled execution is set for early 2027, according to the department’s public calendar.
Response from the governor‑elect’s office
ABC‑7 has reached out to Governor‑elect Hinojosa for comment. Her office has not yet released an official statement regarding Hood’s request.
Regardless of the outcome, the reverend’s call underscores the ongoing tension between personal moral convictions and the statutory powers of the governor’s office in a state where capital punishment remains a deeply entrenched practice.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
