Democrat gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa denied defending Austin’s controversial $150 million police budget cut during a contentious radio interview, only to be confronted with her own past statements and legislative voting record.
Appearing on the Walton and Johnson radio show Friday morning, Hinojosa faced pointed questions about her record as she attempts to unseat Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
“Where is your evidence that I supported their police budget cut? Where is that evidence?” Hinojosa demanded.
When a host cited reporting from several outlets, including Texas Scorecard, Hinojosa suggested the reports were inaccurate.
Kenny Webster, one of the program’s hosts, then read from an August 2020 social media post in which Hinojosa questioned why Austin should be punished for diverting police funding to other public safety priorities.
Hinojosa did not dispute the statement, instead arguing that her position was about protecting local control.
“What that is is local control, and I don’t think our local communities should be punished by the state for local control,” she said.
She was also confronted with her 2021 vote against House Bill 1900, which established penalties for large Texas cities that defund the police.
“What I voted for is to not punish local governments for doing what they need, what their local communities want them to do,” Hinojosa responded.
“I support their freedom to take that action in accordance with what their local communities want,” she added.
The confrontation follows previous Texas Scorecard reporting on Hinojosa’s efforts to portray herself as a pro-law enforcement candidate despite her legislative record.
A recent campaign advertisement features police officers praising Hinojosa’s commitment to public safety while criticizing Abbott. Her record, however, includes opposition to legislation protecting police funding, co-authoring a measure to eliminate qualified immunity for officers, and voting against requiring armed security personnel on public school campuses.
Abbott’s campaign has also launched billboards declaring that “Gina Hinojosa Wants to Defund The Police.”
The police funding exchange was one of several contentious moments during Friday’s interview.
Hinojosa was also questioned about her opposition to legislation restricting biological males from competing in girls’ sports and limiting transgender-related medical procedures for minors.
Asked whether she would maintain those positions as governor, Hinojosa declined to answer directly.
“Look, I don’t intend to champion any culture war fights,” she said.
She instead blamed political divisions on wealthy technology executives, claiming the only beneficiaries were “like 15 billionaire tech dudes.”
The hosts also challenged Hinojosa over her gun control voting record while noting her recent campaign advertisements featuring her holding a rifle.
“I support the rights of hunters,” Hinojosa responded, while reiterating her support for raising the minimum age to purchase certain rifles from 18 to 21.
On taxes, Hinojosa defended her 2019 vote against a constitutional amendment prohibiting a state income tax, dismissing the measure as a political “gimmick” while insisting she has never supported imposing such a tax.
In a statement to Texas Scorecard, Abbott campaign press secretary Eduardo Leal accused Hinojosa of lying about her legislative record.
“Gina Hinojosa has been lying to Texans about her voting record and she’s been exposed. She’s voted to defund the police, supports a state income tax, wants to allow boys in girls’ sports, and is against Texans’ right to bear arms. When confronted with the truth, Gina struggles to answer basic questions about her Legislative record. Texans have always rejected con-artists, and next Tuesday, they will reject Gina Hinojosa.”
