<p>Governor Andy Beshear (D-KY) is facing criticism from Texas Democrats regarding his support for their gubernatorial nominee, Gina Hinojosa, and his outreach to Latino voters. As chairman of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), Beshear is accused of underfunding Hinojosa's campaign against incumbent Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX).</p>
<p>Former Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa stated that his daughter's campaign has received only $1 million from the DGA, while she needs an additional $3 million to $4 million to be competitive. He emphasized the importance of the Texas race, noting that it could impact redistricting due to Texas having the second-largest number of congressional districts in the U.S.</p>
<p>Abbott has reportedly spent over $100 million on his campaign, while Hinojosa's campaign has spent around $16 million. The criticism directed at Beshear highlights potential challenges he may face if he pursues the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, as he would need to engage a more diverse coalition of voters.</p>
<p>Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) criticized Beshear for not attending a DGA meeting with Latino leaders, stating that support from the Latino community will be crucial for any presidential aspirations. Gilberto Hinojosa remarked on the necessity of showing support for Latino candidates to keep them engaged with the Democratic Party.</p>
<p>The funding issue was further underscored when Governor JB Pritzker (D-IL) contributed $1 million to Hinojosa's campaign through his PAC. Currently, Hinojosa is trailing Abbott by an average of 2 percentage points, according to RealClearPolitics.</p>
<p>DGA Executive Director Meghan Meehan-Draper defended Beshear's efforts, stating that the organization is committed to supporting Hinojosa's campaign and has made initial investments to assist her. A DGA spokesperson noted that Beshear has contributed $25,000 to Hinojosa's campaign and has been in contact with her.</p>
<p>Some strategists view the funding dispute as a potential early indication of competition between Beshear and Pritzker for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. However, Gilberto Hinojosa argued that the difference lies in the willingness of the governors to invest in his daughter's campaign.</p>
<p>Texas Democratic strategist Matt Angle emphasized the importance of national Democrats capitalizing on the opportunity in Texas, stating that Hinojosa has run an effective campaign despite the challenges posed by the state's size and expense.</p>