Gina Hinojosa Appoints Republican in First Move as Governor-Elect
Summary
Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa appointed Republican former state lawmaker Ernest Bailes as a co-chair of her transition team. Hinojosa said she wants a bipartisan administration and highlighted her shared support with Bailes for public education.Key Facts
- Hinojosa announced the appointments on November 5, after defeating three-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott in Tuesday’s election.
- Bailes served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2017 to 2025.
- Bailes will co-chair the transition team with Ryan Pollock, executive director of the Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council.
- Bailes and Hinojosa worked together on public education issues.
- Bailes joined Democrats in 2023 to block Abbott’s school voucher proposal, which would have let families use public money for private education.
- Abbott-backed Janis Holt defeated Bailes in the 2024 Republican primary for Texas House District 18.
- Hinojosa also named Joe Madden executive director of the transition team and Tamala Barksdale senior adviser.
- Hinojosa campaigned on increasing public school funding and replacing Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath with an educator.
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