Gina Hinojosa's names Texas governor transition team

Houston Chronicle · Benjamin Wermund · 2026-11-05 21:08 UTC

The governor-elect said former state Rep. Ernest Bailes was a close ally in “delivering for our public schools” during his time in the Texas House.

Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa on Thursday announced leaders of her transition team, including a rural Republican whom Gov. Greg Abbott had worked to oust for opposing school vouchers.

“We are forging a new way forward,” Hinojosa said. “People are tired of the divisions, of the fighting, tired of the culture wars. This is a time to come together in a way that is about just delivering for the people of Texas.”

Hinojosa said former state Rep. Ernest Bailes was a close ally in “delivering for our public schools” during his time in the House. Bailes was one of two dozen Republican House members who helped block Abbott’s push in 2023 to pass vouchers, warning they could threaten the financial future of their local school systems. Several of them, including Bailes, lost their GOP primaries the next year to Abbott-endorsed opponents. The voucher program passed in 2025.

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