# Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa Pledges Bipartisan Texas Administration Hinojosa announces transition team following historic electoral victory over incumbent Greg Abbott. - **Source:** [The Texas Tribune](https://www.texastribune.org) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/25be48a9-efa6-4ffb-ac3d-a1cf2a712476 ## Historic Transition Announcement Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa held her first public appearance at the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs in Austin. Following her victory over Greg Abbott, she emphasized a commitment to a bipartisan administration. Hinojosa stated that this transition represents the entire state of Texas, aiming to foster cooperation across political divides. ## Diverse Transition Leadership Joe Madden, former chief of staff to Lina Hidalgo, will serve as executive director of the transition team. The team includes conservative Republican former state Representative Ernest Bailes and labor representative Ryan Pollock. Tamala Barksdale, a former Austin ISD trustee, has been appointed as a senior adviser to guide the process. ## Cross-Party Cooperation Goals Ernest Bailes, a staunch opponent of private school vouchers, expressed his support for Hinojosa’s vision. He emphasized setting aside partisanship to prioritize education and the needs of Texas children. This collaboration marks a significant shift, as Bailes previously worked with Democrats to thwart voucher legislation supported by the outgoing governor. ## Shifting Power Dynamics Hinojosa assumes office with significant momentum after Democrats swept statewide races and secured the Texas House. While the state Senate remains under Republican control, she will have allies in key roles, including Vikki Goodwin as lieutenant governor. These shifts empower Democrats to influence the state agenda for the first time in decades. ## Addressing Legislative Obstacles When questioned about potential Senate efforts to restrict the powers of the lieutenant governor, Hinojosa urged respect for the electoral outcome. She expressed hope that leaders from both parties would avoid obstructing progress. Her administration intends to focus on delivering results for working people despite the remaining Republican majority in the Senate. ## Ambitious Policy Agenda Hinojosa’s platform includes providing $1,500 to every Texas household from state savings and ending public school takeovers. She also plans to roll back school voucher programs and expand Medicaid access. These initiatives face potential headwinds in the Senate, where Republican opposition remains a significant hurdle for her proposed legislative agenda. ## Education Agency Overhaul A central campaign promise involves firing Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath upon taking office. Hinojosa confirmed her team is actively interviewing candidates to replace him. Morath’s tenure has been marked by the appointment of management boards in seven districts, a practice Hinojosa intends to reverse once she is officially sworn in. ## Environmental and Land Policy Hinojosa has intervened regarding the potential sale of Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX. She requested that the Texas Parks and Wildlife department take no action on the sale during the transition period. This move reflects her campaign criticism of the deal, which she previously linked to major donor influence. ## Sources covering this story - https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17516128/texas-gina-hinojosa-press-conference — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._