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Gilberto Hinojosa
Gilberto Hinojosa is an American politician. He was the chair of the Texas Democratic Party and resigned in 2024 after a 12-year run. He was the county judge of Cameron County, Texas from 1995 to 2006.[1] Early careerWhile living in Washington D.C., Hinojosa worked as a staff attorney for the Migrant Legal Action Program, Inc. He later became the Director of the Migrant Division of Colorado Rural Legal Services, Inc., in Denver, Colorado. After returning to his native Texas, he continued to practice law as the nanaging attorney for Texas Rural Legal Aid, Inc., in Brownsville. Although he briefly was a partner with another law firm in1995 he established his law firm of Magallanes & Hinojosa, P.C., in Brownsville. County judgeHinojosa 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. The Dancy Building houses the county administration. 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 ChairmanHinojosa 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. Texas Democratic Party ChairmanshipOn 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 lifeHinojosa is the father of Xochitl Hinojosa, the spokesperson for the 2020 Democratic National Convention and state representative Gina Hinojosa.[7][8] References
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