Texas State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor, announced a lawsuit Monday against Gov. Greg Abbott following emails exchanged between her office and Republican ally Elon Musk.
Hinojosa — who is challenging Abbott in a tight contest — said at a news conference that she had filed a lawsuit seeking redacted documents that “Abbott refused to release,” saying they were withheld because they were “intimate and embarrassing.”
An Abbott spokesperson called the lawsuit “meritless” and “nothing more than an act of desperation.”
“Even worse, State Rep. Gina Hinojosa is abusing her official capacity as an outgoing legislator to make headlines for political gain,” Abbott press secretary Andrew Mahaleris said in a statement. “Texans see this for what it is: a political stunt.”
Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hinojosa’s lawsuit alleges that “the documented connections between Abbott and Musk are extensive,” including “personal interactions, joint public appearances, significant political contributions, economic development incentives, and mutual public praise.”
She claims that Abbott and Musk speak “frequently” and that Musk has “contributed approximately $366 million to Republicans and Republican-backed PACs,” including “significant amounts, directly and indirectly, to help Abbott.” It also details the millions of dollars in subsidies awarded to SpaceX for its operations in Musk’s home state of Texas.
In recent months, Musk has donated about $250 million to Republican groups, much of which was used in Texas races.
Hinojosa filed a public information request last month to inspect all documents exchanged between Abbott’s office and Musk and his companies.
In a September 29 letter to the governor’s office, she said the people of Texas were “concerned about the growing power of tech giants in Texas over our tax dollars, resources and data.”
His request followed the release of nearly 1,400 pages of documents to Texas Newsroom, detailed in its 2025 report. However, “all but approximately 200 were redacted or completely blacked out,” according to Monday’s lawsuit.
Abbott’s office responded to Hinojosa’s records request last Tuesday, but “refused to release the unredacted versions,” according to court documents.
“Quite simply, Governor Abbott failed and refused to comply with the law by allowing Representative Hinojosa access to Abbott-Musk communications,” the lawsuit states.
Hinojosa’s attorney, Cris Feldman, said the governor’s office “continued to obstruct his ability to review these intimate and embarrassing emails, despite clear statutory language.”
In an affidavit, Hinojosa said she was seeking the documents for “legislative purposes.”
She told the press conference: “People have the right to know and I, as their representative, have the right to see them. »
Early voting began Monday in Texas. Hinojosa said she has already voted.
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