McALLEN, Texas — The Texas Democratic Party’s long-serving chairman has declared his intention to resign after experiencing yet another election cycle marked by significant losses, particularly as voters are increasingly leaning towards the Republican Party in the heavily Hispanic southern region of the state.

Gilberto Hinojosa, who hails from the Rio Grande Valley, has held the position of chair since 2012. Throughout his tenure, the Democratic Party has faced numerous challenges, failing to secure any statewide offices and suffering major defeats in key races just this past Tuesday.

In a concerning trend for Democrats, virtually all counties along the Texas-Mexico border, traditionally regarded as Democratic bastions, shifted to Republican support. This shift included Hidalgo and Cameron counties, which are the two most populous in the Rio Grande Valley. President-elect Donald Trump secured an impressive win in Texas by a margin of 14 points, which represents a significant increase compared to his victory in 2020; this raises alarms regarding the declining support for Democrats.

Hinojosa stated he will officially step down in March 2025.

“In the coming days and weeks, it is crucial for our Democratic leaders nationally to reassess our party’s direction and to welcome the upcoming generation of leaders who can navigate the next four years under Trump and reclaim various seats across the ballot,” Hinojosa remarked.

His announcement followed closely on the heels of his controversial remarks during a conversation with Austin public radio station KUT after the recent election. Hinojosa mentioned that while it is essential to advocate for transgender rights, there are aspects that may be seen as going too far for a significant portion of the electorate.

He later took to social media to express regret over his comments, asserting that LGBTQ+ individuals in Texas should “feel seen, valued, and safe in our state and within our party.”