Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has secured a temporary legal victory against his Democratic challenger, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin), in a dispute over communications between the governor’s office and companies associated with billionaire Elon Musk.

The Texas Fifteenth Court of Appeals temporarily blocked a lower court order requiring Abbott’s office to allow Hinojosa to inspect unredacted records by 10 a.m. Thursday, October 29.

Abbott’s office announced the development Wednesday, less than a week before the November 3 gubernatorial election.

The ruling delays the release of the records but does not settle whether Hinojosa is legally entitled to inspect them.

Hinojosa Sues for Access to Musk Communications

Hinojosa filed her lawsuit October 19, arguing that her authority as a state legislator gives her the right to examine communications between Abbott’s office and Musk-affiliated businesses.

Travis County District Judge Catherine Mauzy sided with Hinojosa on Monday, ordering the governor’s office to provide access to the records by Thursday, according to Courthouse News Service and KXAN.

However, the appeals court intervened Tuesday, suspending the order and giving Hinojosa 14 days to respond to Abbott’s legal challenge.

At the center of the dispute are 1,374 pages of communications involving the governor’s office and Musk’s companies.

The Texas Newsroom previously obtained the documents through a public information request, but all except approximately 200 pages were completely redacted.

What the concealed communications contain remains unknown.

Abbott’s Office Blasts Lawsuit

Abbott’s administration sharply criticized Hinojosa’s legal efforts following the appellate court’s decision.

“This was a sham lawsuit in a rigged district court,” Abbott Press Secretary Andrew Mahaleris said in an October 28 statement.

“The trial court judge refused to follow the law and rubber-stamped an illegal fishing expedition into the Governor’s Office. The appeals court rightly froze this abuse of process.”

Hinojosa has maintained that the records are relevant to concerns about the growing political influence of technology executives in Texas.

She argues that her legislative position gives her the authority to inspect the communications.

Judge’s Campaign Donation Raises Questions

The dispute has also drawn attention to a political contribution made by Mauzy.

Abbott’s general counsel, Trevor Ezell, questioned the judge’s impartiality after reports surfaced that she donated $500 to Hinojosa’s gubernatorial campaign in June.

Ezell alleged that Hinojosa deliberately timed her lawsuit to appear before Mauzy and requested the judge’s removal from the case.

The appeals court has not ruled on those allegations.

Hinojosa campaign spokesman Tommy Kubitschek responded by raising questions about Musk’s financial support for Abbott, according to Bloomberg Law.

Candidates Have Clashed Over Education

The records dispute comes amid broader disagreements between Abbott and Hinojosa over Texas education policies.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Abbott criticized Hinojosa during an October 9 Moms for Liberty event in Dallas over her legislative record on school athletics and parental rights.

Hinojosa voted against House Bill 25 in 2021, which generally requires public school athletic teams to be designated by sex.

She also opposed Senate Bill 12 and House Bill 1106 in 2025, legislation addressing student social transitions and parental decision-making.

Hinojosa has additionally opposed Abbott’s school-choice initiative.

What Happens Next?

The appellate court’s stay means Abbott’s office will not have to meet Thursday’s disclosure deadline while the legal challenge proceeds.

Hinojosa has 14 days to respond, leaving the dispute unresolved as voters prepare to choose Texas’ next governor.

Early voting ends Friday, October 30, with Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, November 3.