Texas state rep calls on Abbott to curb Hinojosa’s power before inauguration

Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison (R) on Wednesday called on Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to curb Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa’s (D) power before she is sworn in next year.

“We still have total power in Texas, and we must act like it by using the remaining ten weeks to restore separation of powers and limit the emergency powers that Governor-Elect Hinojosa is set to inherit, which would allow her to destroy liberty in Texas by executive fiat,” Harrison wrote in a lengthy post on the social platform X .

Harrison wrote that Hinojosa should not have “unchecked emergency powers” and that “the urgency is undeniable… and inaction is intolerable.” He claimed that Hinojosa will “inherit the powers of a DICTATOR.”

“Due to the absurd (and almost certainly unconstitutional) Texas emergency powers laws, Gov. Hinojosa will literally have the power to modify laws, ignore laws, or create and enforce laws – including criminal laws – on a whim!” Harrison said.

He called on the Texas state House to pass HB911, a bill he filed in 2022 against “never ending emergency powers.” Harrison cited the bill’s text, which states that legislative bodies “allowing a single executive branch official to both write and enforce laws is the biggest threat to our constitutional system of divided government and should be opposed irrespective of which political party runs the executive branch.”

“We have TEN WEEKS LEFT to protect Texas from near total Democrat rule,” Harrison’s post concludes. “I encourage every elected Republican in Texas to join my demand for Gov. Abbott to call a special session. The future of liberty in America is literally on the line in Texas, and Texans deserve leadership that acts accordingly.”

Hinojosa defeated Abbott with her 52.78 percent of the vote to his 45.66 percent, according to The Hill’s election partner Decision Desk HQ . Abbott conceded and told supporters that he would “assist her and her team in a period of transition.” Her win flipped the governor’s mansion blue for the first time since former Gov. Ann Richards won in 1990.

Hinojosa will likely enter her new role with more powers than anticipated on the campaign trail, The Houston Chronicle reported. She could also face roadblocks, as Texas Republicans have vowed to “hold the line” against the state Democrat’s agenda.

Former Texas state House speaker Dade Phelan (R) told the outlet that he expects Hinojosa to accomplish her plans even with GOP opposition, as they don’t hold a majority big enough in the state Senate “to govern with an iron fist.”

“Things have to occur,” Phelan told the Chronicle. “They don’t have every lever of government like they are accustomed to.”

The strong night for Democrats in Texas did not apply solely to Hinojosa and Sen.-elect James Talarico (D-Texas), as Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin defeated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), and Democrats won the races for state attorney general, comptroller, railroad commissioner and agriculture commissioner.

Democrats also won the Texas state House, concluding the 24-year run Republicans held in both state Legislature chambers.