After securing victory in the November 2026 gubernatorial race, the stance of Gina Hinojosa—now set to become Texas’s first Latina governor—regarding the state’s relationship with Elon Musk and his business ventures has raised questions for some, as she had previously voiced concerns about transactions like the sale of property to SpaceX and pushed for tighter oversight on data centers.
Recent communications indicate a focus on balancing robust oversight with working relationships that do not adversely affect Texas residents, emphasizing the need for fair contributions from the wealthy while avoiding unnecessary confrontations.
Hinojosa’s public remarks point toward a regulatory approach rather than aggressive tax enforcement. She stated that positive collaboration with Musk and his businesses remains possible, provided it aligns with state interests and is not detrimental to ordinary Texans, suggesting increased scrutiny on data centers and other Musk-affiliated projects.
Elon Musk has longstanding ties to Texas, with Tesla and SpaceX both making major investments in the state over recent years. His financial support for Texas Republicans was significant, contributing millions of dollars, including direct backing for Abbott, as documented by the Associated Press.
Hinojosa’s campaign criticized what she described as a pattern of favoring influential donors over general public welfare.
In interviews following her election, including one with CNN, Hinojosa emphasized that the era of unchecked expansion by tech firms—especially regarding data centers in rural communities—would end once she took office.
She explained that while she does not oppose business or technology growth, she wants future developments to include strong protections for Texans, advocating for a pause on new projects until sufficient regulatory safeguards can be implemented.
