Texas is poised to have its first all-female “Big Three” in state government after last week’s elections, with Gina Hinojosa elected governor, Vikki Goodwin elected lieutenant governor, and Houston state Rep. Senfronia Thompson announcing she has the votes to become House speaker.
The shift follows Democrats’ gains in the Nov. 3 midterms, including Hinojosa’s defeat of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Goodwin’s victory for lieutenant governor. Thompson, an 87-year-old Democrat who has served in the House since 1973, said Friday she has secured support from a majority of House members, including some Republicans. Democrats are expected to hold an 83-67 majority when the Legislature convenes in January.
If Thompson’s coalition holds and she is formally elected speaker on the first day of the session, the state’s top three leadership posts—governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker—will be held by women for the first time. Hinojosa will be Texas’ first Latina governor and the first Democrat elected to the office since Ann Richards in 1990. Goodwin will be the state’s first female lieutenant governor. Thompson would be the first woman and first Black lawmaker to serve as speaker.
I am honored to have secured the support of this growing bipartisan coalition of 90 Members. I look forward to leading the Texas House as Speaker. #txlege https://t.co/5cdjeUBJt6
— Senfronia Thompson (@Senfronia4Texas) November 6, 2026
Thompson has long been known at the Capitol as “Ms. T” and is the longest-serving woman and longest-serving Black legislator in the House. At a news conference in Austin, she said she looks forward to leading the chamber and working with members from both parties.
The speaker controls the House agenda, committee assignments, and the flow of legislation. The lieutenant governor presides over the Senate. Together with the governor, the three positions shape the state’s major policy decisions.
Hinojosa and Goodwin take office in January 2027. The House will elect its speaker when the new session begins Jan. 12.
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