Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa said Thursday that she will build a bipartisan administration. She spoke at a news conference at the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs in Austin. It was her first public appearance since she defeated Gov. Greg Abbott in this week's midterm elections.
Hinojosa named Joe Madden, a former chief of staff to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, as executive director of her 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 also will serve on the team. Tamala Barksdale, a former Austin ISD trustee, will be senior adviser.
Bailes said he believes in Hinojosa and that the two will work together on education. He opposed Abbott's push for private school vouchers. Bailes said Abbott backed his Republican primary challenger two years ago, and Bailes was not reelected. The challenger, now state Rep. Janis Holt of Silsbee, won the primary.