Gilberto Hinojosa was re-elected to a four-year term in 2022 and has been party president for more than a decade.
AUSTIN, Texas — Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, announced his resignation Friday following a crushing loss in an election in which Democrats were far behind.
Hinojosa acknowledged in a statement that his party “suffered devastating defeats up and down the polls in Texas and across the country,” adding, “Democratic leaders across the country must refocus on what is best for our party.” It is essential to evaluate and accept this.” The next generation of leaders will lead us through the next four years of the Trump administration and win back seats at the polls. ”
Hinojosa said he would resign in March after the Democratic Party’s spring meetings. Under party rules, the executive committee appoints a person to complete the term.
Hinojosa added that he would help the commission find a new chair.
Hinojosa was re-elected to a four-year term in 2022.
Controversial comments by Hinojosa
In an interview with public radio’s Texas Newsroom earlier this week, Hinojosa appeared to place the blame for his election loss on how Democrats handled transgender rights.
Reporter Lauren McGaughey shared an interview with KVUE on Friday in which Hinojosa said:
“For example, you can support transgender rights in every category where the issue is raised, and you can understand that there are things that we have gone too far that a large part of the population does not support. You can do it too.”
Although Hinojosa apologized for the “pain and frustration” his words caused and reiterated his support for the LGBTQ+ community, the stain remained.
“Our community was somehow put in a situation where it was our fault that such massive losses occurred across the state of Texas,” said Equality Texas Interim CEO ( CEO Brad Pritchett said. “I hope the party leadership realizes that it is not a good idea to impose losses on one community that is very loyal to the party.”
Democrats fail to turn Texas blue again
Tuesday’s red wave once again dashed Democrats’ hopes for victory in Texas.
Josh Black of the Texas Politics Project said it’s time for Democrats to do some “serious soul searching” for a party that has repeatedly tried and failed to turn the state blue.
“(Texas Democrats) have been saying for years that Texas voters are not Republican, they just have low turnout, but now we’ve had several high turnout elections and Democrats are losing. ,” Black said.
Black pointed to the Republican Party’s consistent efforts to expand the coalition, especially among Hispanics, and said that didn’t happen overnight.
“The Republican effort to increase their vote count is clear, but it’s not clear that Democrats have had the same discipline and consistency in their efforts in the state,” Black said.
But there were some anomalies in Tuesday’s election.
Congressman Colin Allred lost in his bid to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, but Allred emerged as the top Democrat, ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris. Black said it may have something to do with Allred distancing himself from the Biden administration on border issues.
“This should be a signal to Democrats that they may need to reconsider the current wisdom within their party on some of these issues,” Black said.
KVUE reached out to the Texas Democratic Party on Friday but did not receive a response at press time.
