Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa announced her transition team Thursday 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 said the transition would be bipartisan, as would her administration and government.
Joe Madden, former chief of staff to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, will serve as executive director. Former state Rep. Ernest Bailes, who described himself as 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 partisanship should be set aside. He said he served in the Texas House from 2017 to 2025 and was denied reelection two years ago after Abbott backed his Republican primary challenger, state Rep. Janis Holt. Bailes opposed Abbott's push for private school vouchers.