Reverend Jeff Hood Urges Texas Governor-elect to Halt Executions

The Reverend Jeff Hood, a spiritual adviser for Texas death row inmates, has called on Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa to stop executions in the state. Hood, an outspoken opponent of the death penalty and founder of the Execution Intervention Project, penned a letter to Hinojosa, shared exclusively with Newsweek.

Hinojosa’s Historic Win

Gina Hinojosa, a civil rights attorney, became the first Democratic governor of Texas in over 30 years, dethroning three-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott. Her victory is part of several Democratic wins, providing a stronger counter to President Donald Trump’s agenda.

Hinojosa’s Stance on the Death Penalty

While Hinojosa personally opposes the death penalty, she stated she would evaluate cases individually as governor. Texas leads the nation in executions since the death penalty’s reinstatement in 1976, with renewed attention due to lethal injection issues like Tennessee’s attempted execution of Christa Pike. California’s Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to offer clemency to 548 death row inmates is also under discussion. Hood called Newsom’s action a “height of moral leadership.”

A Call for Change

In his letter dated November 4, Hood congratulated Hinojosa and urged her to halt Texas’s execution history. “Do not be like previous governors who allowed Texas to lead in executions,” he wrote. Hood emphasized that previous governors, both Democratic and Republican, contributed to Texas’s execution record.

Governor’s Limited Powers and Influence

The Texas governor can only commute a death sentence with a recommendation from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. However, the governor can grant 30-day reprieves. Hood encouraged Hinojosa to issue multiple reprieves to delay executions, appoint board members who would advocate for life sentences, and create barriers to executing inmates.

Political and Administrative Moves

Hood suggested stopping the purchase of drugs used for lethal injections, letting existing supplies expire, and publicly opposing executions early in her term. Acknowledging the potential political cost, he stressed the importance of taking a stand against the death penalty.

Hinojosa’s Position

In an interview with CNN, Hinojosa said she would treat death penalty cases on an individual basis rather than adopting a blanket policy. She emphasized taking the governor’s responsibilities seriously in each unique case.

Current Execution Statistics

The Death Penalty Information Center reported 35 executions in the U.S. this year. Florida leads with 19, while Texas has conducted seven. Two Texas executions are scheduled for November, involving John Rubio and Reinaldo Dennes. Additionally, Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan’s execution is scheduled for December 3, which would be the first military execution since 1961, pending litigation delays.