Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa is moving quickly, announcing Thursday that she is already interviewing candidates to replace Education Commissioner Mike Morath while tapping a former Republican lawmaker who opposed school choice to help lead her transition.
The announcement came during Hinojosa’s first press conference since Democrats swept Texas’ statewide offices Tuesday, ending more than three decades of Republican control.
Hinojosa repeatedly claimed a commitment to bipartisanship, naming former Republican State Rep. Ernest Bailes among the leaders of her transition team.
“We will have a bipartisan transition, and we will have a bipartisan administration and government in Texas,” Hinojosa said.
But Bailes is no stranger to clashes with Republicans.
The former lawmaker lost his 2024 Republican primary after Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed his opponent as part of a campaign to unseat Republicans who had opposed his school choice priority.
Hinojosa pointed to their shared opposition to Abbott’s education priorities when they both served in the legislature as a foundation for their working relationship.
“State Rep. Ernest Bailes and myself were close allies, delivering for our public schools,” she said. “In fact, I count him as one of my best allies for public schools.”
“There is really little light between our positions on public education,” she added.
The appointment comes as Hinojosa prepares to install new leadership at the Texas Education Agency.
Asked about her intention to replace Commissioner Mike Morath, Hinojosa confirmed that the search is already underway.
“We are actively interviewing people for that position,” she said.
Morath, who has led the Texas Education Agency since 2016, has pledged to work with her transition team.
“TEA’s mission of supporting Texas’ students, educators and school systems continues. I’m praying for the success of our incoming leaders and am committed to ensuring a smooth and successful transition for the next education commissioner,” Morath said earlier in the day.
Hinojosa also announced that Joe Madden, who has worked with Harris County government officials, will serve as executive director of the transition.
Other transition leaders include Ryan Pollock of the Texas Building Trades Council and Tamala Barksdale, a former Austin ISD trustee who served alongside Hinojosa.
Despite her calls for bipartisanship, Hinojosa also issued a warning to Republican senators preparing changes that could limit the authority of incoming Democrat Lt. Gov. Vikki Goodwin.
Republicans retained control of the Texas Senate despite losing the lieutenant governor’s office. Lawmakers could seek to revise Senate rules governing powers traditionally exercised by the lieutenant governor, including committee appointments, bill referrals, and determining which legislation receives a floor vote.
Asked about those efforts, Hinojosa pointed to Tuesday’s election results.
“The people of Texas have spoken, and I think it’s important that, as elected leaders, we respect what the people of Texas have said,” she said.
“I would hope that elected leaders from both parties don’t get in the way of the progress we can make together to deliver for working people.”
Hinojosa also confirmed that she has spoken with Abbott once since the election, while their respective teams have continued communicating.
“Greg Abbott has been gracious and made sure to make me understand that they are going to fully cooperate with this transition and be helpful as they can,” she said.
Both administrations, she added, are committed to a smooth transfer of power.
While Hinojosa outlined her transition plans, reporters had little opportunity to press her on the policies she intends to pursue as governor.
Before the press conference began, a spokesperson instructed journalists to limit their questions to the transition team and its timeline.
Hinojosa then fielded only a handful of questions from reporters called on by her team.
She will officially take office on January 19.
