In brief
President Claudia Sheinbaum welcomed the election of Xavier Becerra as California's first Latino governor and Gina Hinojosa as Texas's first Hispanic‑woman governor, noting the results reflect a broader trend of Mexican‑American influence in U.S. politics and a point of pride for Mexico. She praised the victories as evidence of shared democratic values and underscored a commitment to continued cooperation between Mexico and the United States.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated on Wednesday the election of two Democratic politicians of Mexican descent, Xavier Becerra in California and Gina Hinojosa in Texas, describing the wins as a sign of Mexican‑American influence in U.S. politics. The remarks were made during her daily press briefing, and were reported by the United Press International (UPI).
Becerra, who is the first Latino governor of California elected by popular vote, has a long record of public service that includes a tenure as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, California’s attorney general, and secretary of Health and Human Services under former President Joe Biden. He defeated Republican Steve Hilton on a platform that highlighted lowering the cost of living and defending California’s progressive policies against the Trump administration.
Hinojosa, a civil‑rights lawyer from the Rio Grande Valley, became the first Hispanic woman to win the Texas governorship after defeating incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Her political career began on the Austin school board before she was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2017.
"I think it reflects a sentiment among the American people," Sheinbaum said when asked about the election results.
She stressed that both officials have family ties to Mexico, with one or both parents born in the country, and that their victories were a source of pride for Mexicans. She praised the demographic significance of more than 40 million Mexican‑descent Americans in the U.S. political landscape and emphasized that Mexico will continue to cooperate with the United States based on mutual respect for Mexican sovereignty and ongoing trade dialogue.
UPI noted that the elections will also usher in Democratic majorities in both states’ legislatures in January, further solidifying the impact of these historic wins. Sheinbaum’s comments were framed in the context of strengthening bilateral ties and acknowledging the growing political influence of the Mexican‑American community across the border.
