After Democrats scored historic victories in Texas on Tuesday, KPRC 2 asked voters a simple question: What issue motivated you to cast your ballot for James Talarico or Gina Hinojosa?
The question sparked more than 2,000 comments on our Facebook page, with Texans sharing their priorities, frustrations and hopes for the state’s future.
While some pointed to specific issues such as public education, reproductive rights and the economy, others said their votes reflected a broader desire for change after decades of Republican control in Texas.
Not everyone celebrated the results.
Some commenters expressed concerns about the incoming Democratic leadership, including the possibility of higher taxes and changes to the state’s political direction.
The responses offer a glimpse into the issues weighing on some Texans following an election that saw Talarico defeat Republican Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate and Hinojosa unseat Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
Among the responses, public education emerged as a frequently-mentioned priority, with several commenters expressing frustration over school funding, teacher compensation and the direction of education policy in Texas.
Raquel Dao, who identified herself as a public school teacher and parent, said education was one of her biggest considerations.
“I want fully funded public schools, respected and fairly compensated educators, safe campuses, and real opportunities for ALL children regardless of their ZIP code,” Dao wrote.
She also cited healthcare, housing affordability and reproductive freedom as reasons for supporting the Democratic candidates.
“I voted for Gina Hinojosa, James Talarico, and Vikki Goodwin because I want a government that actually invests in Texans and improves our everyday lives.
“As a public school teacher and a parent, education was one of my biggest issues. I want fully funded public schools, respected and fairly compensated educators, safe campuses, and real opportunities for ALL children regardless of their ZIP code. I am tired of watching public education be treated like something we can continually underfund while teachers and families are expected to somehow make up the difference.
“Healthcare matters to me. Housing and the cost of living matter. Reproductive freedom matters. Protecting working families matters. Democracy and representation matter.
“I also want leaders who understand that faith should not be weaponized against other people, that government should work for ordinary Texans instead of wealthy donors and special interests, and that we can have responsible public safety and border policy without making cruelty and fear the center of our politics.
“I supported Gina, James, and Vikki because I saw three candidates talking about many of the things I want Texas to prioritize: public education, healthcare, affordability, working people, infrastructure, individual freedom, and accountable government.
“And yes, representation matters to me too. As a Latina Texan, seeing Gina Hinojosa have the opportunity to become the first Latina governor of Texas would be incredibly meaningful. But representation alone is not why I voted for her. I voted for her because I believe in the policies and priorities she is fighting for.
“I love Texas. That is exactly why I want better for the people who live here.
“I want a Texas where our schools are strong, families can afford to live, people can access healthcare, teachers can stay in the profession they love, and our government spends more time building Texans up than dividing us.
“That is what propelled my vote.”
Raquel Dao
Edward Valverde pointed specifically to Abbott’s support for private-school vouchers.
“The Governors push on school vouchers that did not help the general public and our public schools and teachers have been underfunded and underpaid for years,” Valverde wrote.
“The Governors push on school vouchers that did not help the general public and our public schools and teachers have been underfunded and underpaid for years. Why would anyone want to vote a criminal like Paxton that was impeached into office? Basically just fed up with the Governors lies, especially the invitation and mishandling of data centers into Texas. Elon Musk had the Governor in his back pocket and that was not good for Texas and it’s not good for our country.”
Edward Valverde
Other commenters offered more straightforward explanations.
“Education! Education! Education!!!” wrote Juan Pablo Trevino.
Adrienne King Whitman said her vote centered around, “Saving public education and individual rights.”
Women’s healthcare was another recurring theme, particularly among commenters who said they wanted changes to Texas’ reproductive healthcare policies.
Julie Minerbo said she supported both Democratic candidates because of their positions on reproductive rights and their approach to leadership.
“I voted for Talarico & Hinojosa because they are committed to restore women’s reproductive rights, care about values, human decency, equality and bringing our state together!” Minerbo wrote.
“I voted for Talarico & Hinojosa because they are committed to restore women’s reproductive rights, care about values, human decency, equality and bringing our state together! Halleluljah Heels, not Wheels!”
Julie Minerbo
Casey Sowers identified two priorities behind her vote.
“Education and Women’s Health. I voted for my children’s future,” Sowers wrote.
Rosie Romero also cited women’s healthcare, saying she wanted women to be able to make decisions about their own bodies.
Romero added that she wanted a stronger education system for future generations of Texas students.
“I listened to Abbott, and did what he asked. He said if we want change in Texas to vote for him. He forgot he’s been in charge for over a decade, so I voted for the change. I voted so we can let women choose what’s right for their bodies. I chose for the future kids that will be going through Texas’ education system - I want them to learn, and carry that knowledge with them for the rest of their lives so they can thrive.”
Rosie Romero
For other commenters, the election was about more than any single policy. Some described feeling exhausted with the state’s political leadership and ready for a different approach.
Gerard Miller, who identified himself as an educator, said he was tired of Republican control in Texas.
“I voted Talarico and Hinojosa because I like soo many others am just plain tired,” Miller wrote.
“I’m sick of Greg abbot [sic] and the republican chokehold on this state. Born in ‘86. 38 years of my life I’ve been under their oppressive agenda. I’ve made my career as an educator. Enough said. I voted Talarico and Hinojosa because I like soo many others am just plain tired.”
Gerard Miller
Randy Posey was more direct about his decision in the Senate race.
“I voted for Talarico because he is not Ken Paxton,” Posey wrote. “He also seems to be a decent human being and I haven’t seen that in national politics in a minute.”
Others emphasized that their decisions were not necessarily about political party affiliation.
“What we have clearly hasn’t been working, it’s time for change,” wrote Jesikah Plus Chas Richmond. “Not red, not blue, I voted for the people of Texas to have a chance at something better.”
“What we have clearly hasn’t been working, it’s time for change…. Not red, not blue, I voted for the people of Texas to have a chance at something better, and maybe that means it’s time to step out of our comfort zone and give someone else the reigns for a while."
Jesikah Plus Chas Richmond
Adriana Santander expressed a similar sentiment, saying she wanted elected officials who listened to their constituents and followed through on their promises.
“At the end of the day, I just want what’s best for our community and to feel like our voices are being heard,” Santander wrote.
“For me, it wasn’t really about one specific issue. I just feel like our community is ready for some change. I want to see leaders who actually listen to the people, understand our concerns, and do what they say they’re going to do. At the end of the day, I just want what’s best for our community and to feel like our voices are being heard.”
Adriana Santander
The cost of living also appeared in responses, alongside concerns about healthcare access, infrastructure and the growing presence of data centers in Texas.
Mildred Smith listed three factors behind her decision: “Cost of living. Elon Musk. Donald Trump.”
Kim Thomas cited affordability, corruption and the loss of Texas land to data centers.
Adrian Ramirez identified the economy, education and the state’s THC regulations as motivating issues.
“Still sour about that,” Ramirez wrote of the THC issue.
Ismail Khan offered a broader list of priorities, including affordable housing, universal healthcare, workers’ protections and bodily autonomy.
Khan also said voting Democratic did not mean giving the winning candidates a free pass.
“Electing Democrats is one step. The expectation afterward is that they deliver, and we hold them accountable, too,” Khan wrote.
“Several issues ranging from universal healthcare, affordable housing, personal freedoms, bodily autonomy, and stronger protections for workers. People deserve more control over their lives and a real say in the institutions that govern them.
“My support for Talarico and Hinojosa is part of wanting lasting, structural change. Electing Democrats is one step. The expectation afterward is that they deliver, and we hold them accountable, too.
“People are tired of the racism and the hatred that is intertwined in our politics that bleeds into our systems. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, republicans have been responsible for an extreme regression in our everyday lives for years and it’s time to pass the baton to progressives so that we have permanent change for everyone alike.
“That’s the power of grass roots & going to voters and asking them about the issues that are affecting them most. No amount of money on tv ads can buy that.”
Ismail Khan
Although KPRC 2’s question was directed toward people who supported Talarico or Hinojosa, the post also drew responses from Texans who voted Republican or disagreed with the election outcome.
Some worried that Democratic leadership could bring higher taxes or policies, pointing to California.
“Texas is turning into California,” wrote Dave Feland.
Janeene Kruse Tracey expressed concern about affordability.
“Our cost of living is going to go up. We are already squeezed enough. Just wait for it,” Tracey wrote.
Others questioned whether the incoming leadership would deliver meaningful changes.
Thomas Nilsson asked voters who supported change what specific improvements they expected and what those changes might cost.
Patrick Young expressed skepticism about politicians in general.
“A politician is a politician and they all say the same thing. I’m curious if we will see any changes the next couple of years,” Young wrote.
While the responses varied, many commenters shared a common expectation: They want the incoming leadership to deliver tangible improvements to everyday life.
For some, that means better-funded public schools and more affordable healthcare. For others, it means greater accountability, lower living costs or a change in political tone.
And for Texans who opposed the Democratic candidates, the election has raised questions about what the state’s new leadership will mean for taxes, public policy and the economy.
The Facebook responses are not a scientific survey and should not be interpreted as representative of Texas voters overall. They do, however, offer a window into the priorities and concerns shared by people participating in KPRC 2’s online discussion.
As Texas prepares for a historic transition in statewide leadership, those expectations will now be put to the test.
