Jump to content

Gilberto Hinojosa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gilberto Hinojosa
Chair of the Texas Democratic Party
Assumed office
June 9, 2012
Preceded byBoyd Richie
County Judge of Cameron County
In office
January 1, 1995 – January 1, 2007
Preceded byTony Garza
Succeeded byCarlos Cascos
Personal details
Born (1952-07-08) July 8, 1952 (age 72)
Alamo, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Texas, Pan American (BA), Georgetown University (JD)

Gilberto Hinojosa is an American politician. He is the chair of the Texas Democratic Party. He was the county judge of Cameron County, Texas from 1995 to 2006.[1]

Early career

[edit]

While living in Washington D.C., Hinojosa worked as a staff attorney for the Migrant Legal Action Program, Inc.[citation needed] He later became the Director of the Migrant Division of Colorado Rural Legal Services, Inc., in Denver.[citation needed] After returning to his native Texas, he continued to practice law as the nanaging attorney for Texas Rural Legal Aid, Inc., in Brownsville.[citation needed] Although he briefly was a partner with another law firm in1995 he established his law firm of Magallanes & Hinojosa, P.C., in Brownsville.[citation needed]

County judge

[edit]

Hinojosa was elected Cameron County Judge on November 8, 1994. During his administration, bridges from Texas to Mexico were built and the restoration of the 1912 era courthouse was completed.[citation needed] The Dancy Building houses the county administration.[citation needed]

On August 11, 2003, Hinojosa appeared before the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in support of Senate Bill 1329, which would provide funds to assist in moving railroads to improve access for commercial traffic which passes through Cameron County to and from the border with Mexico. He voiced support for the planned Interstate 69 project.[2] After the bill passed, the Cameron County West Rail Relocation Project was initiated providing for the construction of a railroad across the Rio Grande River from Brownsville to Matamoros, Mexico, with approximately $21 million in federal funds provided.[3] The administration of Judge Carlos Cascos continues to work towards completing the project.

County Democratic Chairman

[edit]

Hinojosa was elected chairman of the Cameron County Democratic Party on November 12, 2007.[4] One day after the inauguration of President Barack Obama, Hinojosa attended the Democratic National Committee winter meeting in Washington, DC. On January 23, 2008, he nominated Virginia Governor Tim Kaine to head the Democratic National Committee.[5] With a unanimous vote Kaine became the leader of the Democratic National Committee.[citation needed]

Texas Democratic Party Chairmanship

[edit]

On May 12, 2011, Hinojosa announced his intention to run for chair of the Texas Democratic Party after the incumbent, Boyd Richie, announced that he would not run for re-election and was retiring. Hinojosa named Houston attorney Cris Felman treasurer of his campaign. Hinojosa was elected chair of the Texas Democratic Party on June 9, 2012 at the state party convention held in Houston. He replaced Richie.

On November 8, 2024, Hinojosa announced his resignation as Democrat party chair, effective in March 2025.[6]

Personal life

[edit]

Hinojosa is the father of Xochitl Hinojosa, the spokesperson for the 2020 Democratic National Convention and state representative Gina Hinojosa.[7][8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Congratulations to the newly elected and first Hispanic Chair of the Texas Democratic Party, Judge Gilberto Hinojosa". Retrieved 2012-06-09.
  2. ^ "Statement of Cameron County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa". United States Senate. August 11, 2003. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  3. ^ "Brownsville/Matamoros West Rail Relocation Project, Cameron County, TX". United States Department of State. 2004-06-25. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  4. ^ Martinez, Laura (2007-11-13). "Hinojosa tapped to lead local Democratic Party". Brownsville Herald. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  5. ^ "Hinojosa Nominates Virginia Gov. to be Next DNC Chairman". KRGV. 2009-01-23. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  6. ^ Jasper SchereR (November 8, 2024). "Texas Democratic Party chair steps down after dismal election performance". The Texas Tribune.
  7. ^ Mallozzi, Vincent M. (2015-11-22). "Xochitl Hinojosa and Eloy Martinez: Texans Find Love Near the Potomac". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  8. ^ Sheffield, Matthew (2018-08-06). "Full interview: DNC spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa discusses upcoming elections". The Hill. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
[edit]
Party political offices
Preceded by
Boyd Richie
Chair of the Texas Democratic Party
2012–present
Incumbent