Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa held her first news conference Thursday in Austin to discuss the transition with outgoing Gov. Greg Abbott. Hinojosa said Abbott and his team have been gracious and will cooperate with the transition. She said she will be "a governor for all of Texas."
Transition operations are set to begin immediately, ahead of Hinojosa's inauguration in January. She said she is ready to work with both parties before the legislature meets next year. "I look forward to working with Republican leaders in the legislature," she said.
Joe Madden, who has worked in government for 23 years, is executive director of the transition. Ryan Pollock, executive director of the Texas Building Trades Council, will serve as co-chair. Ernest Bailes, whom Hinojosa described as a Republican who champions public schools, will also serve as co-chair and work with her team on education. Barksdale, who served with Hinojosa on the Austin ISD school board more than 10 years ago, will be senior advisor.