Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa said Thursday that she would build a "bipartisan" administration. She spoke at a news conference at the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs in Austin, her first public appearance since defeating Gov. Greg Abbott in this week's midterm elections. "This is a transition for the whole state of Texas," she said.
Joe Madden, a former chief of staff to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, will serve as executive director of the transition team. Former state Rep. Ernest Bailes, who called himself a "conservative Republican," and Ryan Pollock of the Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council will also serve on the team. Tamala Barksdale, a former Austin ISD trustee who served with Hinojosa on the school board, will be senior adviser.
Bailes said, "We will put partisanship aside," and that the team would focus on education and listening to the people. Bailes served in the Texas House from 2017 to 2025 and opposed Abbott's push for private school vouchers. He was denied reelection two years ago after Abbott backed his Republican primary challenger, now-state Rep. Janis Holt of Silsbee. In 2023, Bailes and House Republicans joined the chamber's Democratic minority to block the voucher push, an effort Hinojosa helped lead.