Fox News host Will Cain discussed the surprising turn of events in Texas where Democrat Gina Hinojosa ousted incumbent Governor Greg Abbott. The political landscape shifted significantly when Democrats turned Texas blue during the election.
In response, Republican state representative Brian Harrison urged Governor Abbott to call a special session. Harrison aims to curb the governor’s executive emergency powers before Hinojosa assumes office. He expressed concerns about the extensive powers that Hinojosa could inherit. Harrison stated that unchecked emergency powers could threaten liberty in Texas, regardless of party affiliation.
‘Republicans lost, but Democrats were not sworn in,’ Harrison emphasized. ‘We still have total power in Texas and need to use it wisely.’
Harrison pointed to powers enabled by Section 433.002 of the Texas Government Code. This allows governors to issue and modify emergency directives during emergencies. He argued that these powers have been misused previously. Hinojosa plans to start using them immediately upon taking office.
Harrison also advocated for legislation like HB911, introduced in December 2022, to limit these emergency powers. He stressed that with the Republican majority still in effect, they should act decisively.
Hinojosa, set to become the state’s first Latina governor, campaigned on declaring a ‘high-cost emergency’ and implementing executive orders to freeze state gas, diesel taxes, and electricity rates.
Despite requests, neither Abbott’s office nor Hinojosa’s campaign commented on these developments.
Harrison encountered criticism from some quarters. In his social media exchange, he noted that earlier, similar proposals did not attract the same scrutiny.
Under Texas law, the governor manages legislative bills, military forces, and special legislative sessions. The Texas Disaster Act of 1975 empowers the governor during state emergencies, with constraints on disaster declarations.
Hinojosa pledged a leadership style based on courage, supported by the Democratic gain in Texas. James Talarico also marked a Democratic victory by defeating Attorney General Ken Paxton for a U.S. Senate seat.
Even amid this shift, some Republican state senators vowed to resist Democrat-led policies. Additionally, former President Donald Trump criticized Abbott, attributing his defeat to misaligning with core Republican values.
Abbott, in his concession, assured support for Hinojosa’s transition. With Democrats claiming the governor and senate seats, Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz warned of underestimated risks, noting Texas’s historical Democratic absence since the early ’90s.
Gina Hinojosa will officially take office in January 2027.
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