Democrats invest more heavily in Gina Hinojosa as Pritzker offers support

Reported by CBS News. The paragraphs below are the opening of that article, reproduced word for word — not a summary, and not the whole piece.

National Democrats are stepping up their financial support for Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa after recent polls showed a dead heat and more Democrats began to see an opportunity to potentially defeat three-term incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, a possible 2028 presidential contender, and the Democratic Governors Association are each putting at least $1 million behind Hinojosa, according to sources familiar with the investments and a senior DGA official. Pritzker's contribution is actually larger — $1.2 million, according to sources familiar with the commitment. The New York Times first reported the investment.

The infusion comes at a crucial point for Hinojosa's campaign. She reported roughly $4 million in cash on hand at the end of last month, according to campaign finance filings, and her campaign said it had been outspent by Abbott by roughly 10-to-1.

In a statement, Hinojosa's campaign said her campaign has "momentum," and said "we're grateful for the support we've received in this final stretch from leaders across the country."

Last week, more than 70 Latino Democratic leaders sent a letter to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, the chair of the DGA, urging the group to invest $10 million to help Hinojosa's campaign. A source told CBS News on Wednesday that the state's Latino leaders, including Texas congressional lawmakers, met with the DGA to increase pressure to fund Hinojosa's campaign, which was first reported by NBC News .

A source familiar with the investments tells CBS News that they believe the DGA took action to support Hinojosa after Pritzker committed his own money to the race.