““Hinojosa framed the race as a fight against an affordability crisis … a message that carried her to victory and ended 36 years of Republican control of the governor’s office.” — Fox News, Elaine Mallon, Nov. 4, 2026”
The claim: ““Hinojosa framed the race as a fight against an affordability crisis … a message that carried her to victory and ended 36 years of Republican control of the governor’s office.” — Fox News, Elaine Mallon, Nov. 4, 2026”
Why we rated it this way: The Texas State Library lists Democrat Ann Richards as governor from January 15, 1991, to January 17, 1995, followed by Republicans George W. Bush, Rick Perry and Greg Abbott. That makes the Republican hold about 32 years when Hinojosa takes office in January 2027, not 36. The 36-year figure matches the time since a Democrat last won the office, Richards in 1990, and CNN described it as 'more than three decades.'
See the evidenceWhat would change our rating: An official Texas record showing a Republican governor in office from 1991 to 1995, or a Fox correction explaining a different way of counting, would change this.
Our read
The Texas State Library lists Democrat Ann Richards as governor from January 15, 1991, to January 17, 1995, followed by Republicans George W. Bush, Rick Perry and Greg Abbott. That makes the Republican hold about 32 years when Hinojosa takes office in January 2027, not 36. The 36-year figure matches the time since a Democrat last won the office, Richards in 1990, and CNN described it as 'more than three decades.'
Broadcast
Picture to come
Nov 4, 2026, 11:40 AM CST
Sources
- Fox News, “From Texas to Kansas, 6 stunning midterm results that upended the political map,” Nov. 4, 2026
- Texas State Library and Archives, Portraits of Texas Governors, 1991-present
- Texas Legislative Reference Library, Governor Ann W. Richards
- Texas Legislative Reference Library, Governor George W. Bush
Script
Narration script. If a face or a voice delivers this, the anchor is synthetic.
Midday Check. Fox News says Gina Hinojosa's win ended 36 years of Republican control of the Texas governor's office. State records show Republicans took over in January 1995, about 32 years ago. Verdict: contradicted.
Corrections
None on file.