Hinojosa names transition staff with education focus

Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, ending a state leadership tenure that has persisted since January 2015. The victory marks the first change in Texas’s top executive office in over a decade. Hinojosa, a state representative from Austin, is set to become the first Democrat to hold the post since Ann Richards in the 1990s and the first Latina in the role.

On Thursday, Hinojosa introduced the personnel structure for her administration. Joe Madden, who resides in Houston, will serve as executive director. Tamala Barksdale will act as senior advisor. The team also includes Ryan Pollock, a union trades worker, and Ernest Bailes, a former state representative and Republican. Bailes and Hinojosa previously worked together on legislative matters related to schools.

Education remained the central theme of the announcement. Madden stated that his primary objective is to fulfill the governor-elect's pledge to improve outcomes for students. "I'm doing this job for the governor-elect to deliver on her promise to my kids and her promise to the kids of the state of Texas," Madden said. Bailes emphasized collaboration, noting that the team would support and listen to residents.

Hinojosa highlighted her shared history with Bailes on public education. "Rep. Bailes and myself were close allies delivering for our public schools," she said. She described their positions on the issue as closely aligned, which justified his selection for the transition staff.

The incoming administration will address the Texas Education Agency immediately. Hinojosa declared on election night that she would dismiss Commissioner Mike Morath on her first day in office. On Thursday, she confirmed that her team is actively interviewing candidates to replace him. Hinojosa is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 19.