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Valdez would have been the first out lesbian to be elected governor of any state, but she lost to homophobic incumbent Greg Abbott.
Greg Abbott, the homophobic Republican governor of Texas, is projected to win reelection over Democrat Lupe Valdez, a Latina lesbian.
Only 2 percent of precincts were reporting, but shortly after 8 p.m. Central time, the Associated Press called the race for Abbott, 54 percent to 44 percent.
Abbott has a long record of anti-LGBTQ actions, both as governor and in his previous post as Texas attorney general. He has fought marriage equality and championed an anti-transgender "bathroom bill," although he claims that will not be a priority of his in his next term.
Valdez, the former sheriff of Dallas County, supported expanding health care, improving public education, creating jobs with a livable wage, and protecting LGBTQ rights. She would have been the first out lesbian to be governor of any U.S. state.
