Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa used her first news conference as Texas’ incoming governor Thursday to outline the start of the transition and caution Republicans against efforts to restrict her authority or that of Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin.
Speaking at the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs in Austin, Hinojosa said the change in leadership is “a transition for the whole state of Texas.” She announced the first members of her transition team and stressed that it would be bipartisan. “We will have a bipartisan transition, and we will have a bipartisan administration and government in Texas,” she said. “We are forging a new way forward. People are tired of the divisions, of the fighting, tired of the culture wars.”
The team includes Joe Madden, former chief of staff to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, as executive director; former Austin ISD trustee Tamala Barksdale; Ryan Pollock of the Texas Building Trades Council; and former state Rep. Ernest Bailes, a Republican. Hinojosa said the group has been working with outgoing Gov. Greg Abbott’s office on the transfer of power. She is scheduled to be sworn in Jan. 19, 2027.
Hinojosa, Goodwin warn Republicans against limiting their power after election win https://t.co/vludHYOZvr via @dallasnews Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa had a message Thursday for Republicans considering trimming her powers and those of the next lieutenant governor: Voters wanted change. Don’t stand in the way.
— TexasBlue (@MakeTexasBlue22) November 6, 2026
Asked about possible Republican moves to limit powers of the governor’s office or the lieutenant governor’s role in the Senate, Hinojosa replied: “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.” Some Republicans, including state Rep. Brian Harrison, have urged steps to curb the governor’s emergency powers before she takes office. Senate rules that give the lieutenant governor significant control over legislation could also be rewritten by the GOP-majority chamber.
Hinojosa, a state representative from Austin who grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, defeated Abbott on Tuesday, becoming the first Latina and the first Democrat elected governor of Texas since Ann Richards. Democrats also won the lieutenant governor’s office and control of the Texas House, while Republicans retained a Senate majority. She has said she will govern for all Texans and plans to focus on education, household costs and other priorities outlined during the campaign.
No specific policy details were announced Thursday beyond the transition structure and the call for bipartisanship.
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