Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign is launching its first direct attack against Democrat gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa, branding her “Gender Bender Gina” over her voting record on gender mutilation policies involving children.
In a Tuesday email, the Abbott campaign pointed to Hinojosa’s 2023 vote against Senate Bill 14, which prohibited physicians from performing gender mutilation surgeries on minors or prescribing puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones for the purpose of transitioning a child’s biological sex.
The legislation also prohibited the use of public money to provide the procedures. Hinojosa voted against the measure before it was ultimately approved by lawmakers and signed into law by Abbott.
Abbott’s campaign also targeted Hinojosa over her opposition to House Bill 1106 during the most recent legislative session. That legislation amended the state’s definitions of child abuse and neglect to provide that a parent’s refusal to affirm a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity does not, by itself, constitute abuse or neglect. The measure was approved by lawmakers and signed by Abbott in June 2025.
“Radical Gina would rather trans your kids than protect them, educate them, or prepare them for a successful future. It’s disgraceful,” said Abbott campaign press secretary Eduardo Leal. “From prosecuting parents who ‘misgender’ their own child to voting in favor of Texas public schools transitioning kids behind parents’ backs, Hinojosa is a rubber stamp for the Socialist Democrats and their gender insanity.”
The attack marks the Abbott campaign’s first direct broadside against Hinojosa since she became the Democrat nominee for governor. Up until now, Abbott and his campaign had largely steered clear of acknowledging his opposition.
Abbott, who is seeking a fourth term, has maintained a significant financial advantage over Hinojosa. Campaign finance reports covering February through July showed Abbott raising roughly $25.5 million and holding $67.2 million in cash, compared with approximately $6 million raised and $3 million on hand for Hinojosa.
Texas Democrats responded to Abbott’s attack by accusing the governor of attempting to shift the campaign toward “culture war politics.”
“Greg Abbott doesn’t want to talk about record high gas prices or the rising costs of healthcare, housing, and groceries,” said Texas Democrat Party spokesman Jacob Long.
Long also criticized Abbott over data centers, Flock cameras, and the state’s education savings account program.
“So what does he do? He resorts to old culture war politics because he doesn’t have anything else to run on and is trying to distract voters from who’s really making life more expensive: the billionaires and big corporations lining his pockets,” said Long.
