Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa on Thursday named the first leaders of her transition team. Ernest Bailes, a former Republican state representative and Texas A&M graduate, will co-chair the team with Ryan Pollock, Hinojosa said at her first news conference since Tuesday's election.
Bailes served four terms in the Texas House, representing District 18 from 2017 to 2025, according to the transition team. The Texas Tribune reported that he broke with Gov. Greg Abbott on school vouchers and lost his 2024 Republican primary to a challenger Abbott backed. Hinojosa called Bailes "one of my best allies for public schools." Bailes said the team would "put partisanship aside."
Joe Madden, a University of Texas at Austin graduate, will serve as executive director. Tamala Barksdale, a former Austin ISD trustee, will be senior advisor. Hinojosa said more transition announcements will come in waves. Three Texas A&M University System Board of Regents seats expire Feb. 1, 2027. Hinojosa will decide whether to reappoint those regents or nominate new ones, and the Texas Senate must confirm her picks.