Democrats Rob Sand and Gina Hinojosa Win Governor Races in Iowa and Texas

Democrat Rob Sand won Iowa's governor race and Democrat Gina Hinojosa won Texas's, according to reports from The Guardian and PBS NewsHour.

StaffNovember 3, 2026

From the pages of The American Packet.

Democrat Rob Sand has been elected governor of Iowa, The Guardian reported, citing a projection by the Associated Press. The Guardian said the win is a milestone as Sand's party seeks to "rebuild its political standing" in the midwestern state.

Sand is the state auditor. The Guardian reported that he defeated Maha-backed Republican Zach Lahn, and it described Iowa as a state with strong Trump support. The story was written by Lois Beckett and Chris Stein.

The Guardian's summary appeared on a page of live coverage of the 2026 US midterm elections, which tracks results from all 50 states. The summary did not give vote totals or the size of Sand's margin over Lahn.

In Texas, PBS NewsHour reported that Democrat Gina Hinojosa won election on Tuesday as governor, defeating Republican incumbent Greg Abbott. The report is credited to the Associated Press.

The two governor's races are separate contests in separate states, and the reports do not connect them. Neither report gave vote totals, and neither summary said when either new governor will take office.

Sources: The Guardian: Democrat Rob Sand wins Iowa’s gubernatorial race as party plans rebuild; PBS NewsHour: Democrat Gina Hinojosa wins election for governor in Texas.