New Texas governor-elect strikes conciliatory tone toward Musk after campaigning against SpaceX deal
Texas governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has signaled a shift from her anti-SpaceX stance to a willingness to work with Elon Musk and his companies on terms that protect Texas interests. The move follows early opposition to a SpaceX land deal near Boca Chica, highlighting a broader debate among Democrats about balancing growth with local accountability. Key questions remain about potential land transfers, including a 1.9-acre sale and earlier swap proposals, and how Musk’s presence will influence policy. The outlook hinges on whether governance can secure investment without ceding state assets, with Hinojosa stressing protection of land and livelihoods as a priority.
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Hinojosa’s remarks came after her election victory, indicating a potential recalibration of how Texas should engage SpaceX and its footprint near Boca Chica State Park.
Public statements emphasized that any collaboration with Musk’s companies would occur on Texas’s terms, aiming to avoid actions perceived as selling out to a billionaire.
Boca Chica State Park sits near SpaceX’s Starbase; past discussions have included a land swap proposal where 43 acres could move to SpaceX in exchange for 477 nearby acres.
In 2025, Cameron County records show the commission approved selling about 1.9 acres across four noncontiguous tracts at Boca Chica, a smaller deal Texas Parks and Wildlife later codified.
Musk publicly defended Texas’s pro-business climate after Hinojosa’s remarks, saying SpaceX and Tesla benefited from the state’s governance, while also noting he relocated expansions from California to Texas.
Hinojosa’s team did not respond to inquiries about whether the 1.9-acre sale would be blocked or altered, keeping the status of negotiations unclear as she prepares to take office on Jan. 19, 2027.