Democrat gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa is attempting to establish herself as pro-law enforcement in a new campaign ad.
But she previously defended Austin’s decision to defund its police department and voted against legislation designed to prevent cities from cutting police funding.
The new ad features several police officers portraying Hinojosa as a candidate who will strengthen border security and make communities safer.
“Greg Abbott loves law enforcement on camera, off camera we are on our own,” one officer says.
Another praises Hinojosa for working across the aisle to get things done, citing “stronger borders, safer communities, and fewer kids heading down the wrong path.”
Despite the ad’s pro-police message, Hinojosa’s campaign website does not list any endorsements from police associations. Abbott, meanwhile, has received endorsements from several law enforcement organizations, including the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, the Texas Municipal Police Association, the Houston Police Officers’ Union, and the Austin Police Association.
Her legislative record also includes opposition to measures designed to protect police funding.
In August 2020, the Austin City Council voted to remove approximately $150 million from the Austin Police Department’s budget. Hinojosa publicly defended the decision.
The following year, she voted against House Bill 1900, legislation designed to prevent large Texas cities from defunding their police departments.
The measure, signed into law by Abbott, established financial penalties and other restrictions for municipalities that reduce police funding.
Hinojosa also co-authored House Bill 88, known as the George Floyd Act, in 2021 which would end qualified immunity for police officers, exposing them to frivolous lawsuits.
The legislation was left pending in committee.
Additionally, in 2023, Hinojosa voted against House Bill 3, which required public school campuses to have at least one armed security officer during regular school hours.
Abbott’s campaign criticized Hinojosa’s public safety record following the release of the ad, accusing her of attempting to reinvent herself as a law-and-order candidate.
“Gina Hinojosa’s public safety record is nothing she should be bragging about. It’s embarrassing,” said Catherine Frazier, communications director for Texans for Greg Abbott. “Gina was a champion of Austin’s effort to defund their police and cut their cadet classes, co-authored a bill to strip common sense protections for officers from frivolous lawsuits, and stands with derelict Democrat Travis County DA Jose Garza who has let deadly criminals free onto the streets.”
“Let’s be clear — Gina is not supported by law enforcement and has never backed the blue,” Frazier added.
To that end, the Abbott campaign has launched a billboard campaign declaring that “Gina Hinojosa Wants to Defund The Police.”
Texas Scorecard contacted Hinojosa’s campaign for comment on her previous positions and to ask whether she has received any police association endorsements. No response was received before publication.
