The nonpartisan Cook Political Report updates its ratings for the Iowa and Texas gubernatorial races, moving both contests in a direction Democrats are more likely to win. The changes, announced Thursday, lift the prospects for Democratic candidates in each state.
For Texas, Cook places the race in a more competitive category based on its assessment of the matchup between incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic nominee Gina Hinojosa, a state representative. Cook’s analysis describes Hinojosa as “surprisingly competitive,” citing the factors that make the contest tighter than in previous expectations.
For Iowa, Cook similarly adjusts its rating to reflect a higher chance of a Democratic outcome than earlier classifications suggested. While the sources provided here focus mainly on the direction of the Cook changes, they do not include detailed numerical vote projections or polling-specific comparisons. Overall, both outlets report the same core development: Cook’s new ratings shift the two governor races toward Democrats’ favor.
