Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa announced November 5 that she has named former Republican state Rep. Ernest Bailes to co-chair her transition team, signaling a commitment to a bipartisan administration when she takes office in January.
Hinojosa, a Democrat who defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in the November 3 election, emphasized that her administration will prioritize unity across political lines. Bailes, a conservative from East Texas who served in the Texas House from 2017 to 2025, will share leadership of the transition team with Ryan Pollock, executive director of the Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council. Joseph Carlos Madden, who previously guided Harris County transitions, will serve as executive director, while Tamala Barksdale, a former Austin school board trustee, will act as a senior adviser.
At her first post-election press conference, Hinojosa stated, “We will have a bipartisan transition, and we will have a bipartisan administration and government in Texas.” She added that her goal is to govern for all Texans, not just Democrats who supported her campaign. Hinojosa highlighted her working relationship with Bailes, calling him one of her “best allies on public schools.” She noted that their positions on public education align closely, saying “there is really little light between our positions on public education.”
Bailes, who introduced himself as “a conservative Republican,” echoed the call for collaboration, stating that the transition team would set aside partisanship to focus on issues like education. Hinojosa also acknowledged that Abbott has been “gracious” and pledged full cooperation during the transition process.
The transition team’s formation follows Hinojosa’s historic win, making her the first Democrat to serve as Texas governor since Ann Richards left office in 1995. Her administration’s early emphasis on bipartisanship reflects a stated desire to address public concerns about political division, particularly in areas such as education policy.