Texas Democrats Face Divided Government After Statewide Victory
The election has handed Democrats major statewide offices and, after a gap of over two decades, control of the Texas House. Republicans are expected to keep the Senate, setting up divided government as lawmakers prepare to meet on January 12. Republicans still hold complete control for two months, and some have discussed laws that could limit the incoming administration’s power.
Gina Hinojosa, who was elected governor, said in remarks celebrating her win that she would fire Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on her first day. His term expires just before she takes office, giving Hinojosa the opportunity to appoint a successor in January. As governor, she will also be able to appoint leaders of state agencies and members of boards overseeing public universities.
The change at the top of the Texas Education Agency would not immediately end the state takeover of Houston Independent School District. Chris Tritico of the Houston Federation of Teachers said state law requires elected school board members to return in stages, meaning the board’s composition would change gradually. He said it would take time before an elected-board majority could remove HISD Superintendent Mike Miles, and that education would change over the next few years, not immediately.
Democratic Lieutenant Governor-elect Vikki Goodwin will preside over the Senate and influence which bills come before it. But Republican control of that chamber means the two parties would need to agree on legislation covering issues raised during the campaign, including abortion, gambling and marijuana. Hinojosa has also promised changes to public education, while Goodwin has said she supports legalizing marijuana.
Texas Voters Put Democrats in Position to Reshape State Government
Texas voters have opened the door to a major shift in state leadership, electing Democrats to major statewide offices and giving them the House after a gap of over two decades. The Republican-controlled Senate, however, will have power over which legislation advances, leaving the new Democratic leaders to govern through divided government.
Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has put public education at the center of her agenda, promising to remove Education Commissioner Mike Morath on her first day. His term ends just before she takes office, allowing her to appoint a successor in January. She can also name leaders of state agencies and members of boards that oversee public universities.
That change will not instantly reverse the state takeover of Houston Independent School District. State law requires elected board members to return gradually, so it will take time before they can form a majority and remove Superintendent Mike Miles. The timetable underscores why leadership changes matter, but also why the takeover will not end overnight.
Democratic Lieutenant Governor-elect Vikki Goodwin will preside over the Senate, but Republicans are expected to retain control there. That gives Republicans leverage over bills involving abortion, gambling and marijuana. They also have two months of full control remaining, and some have discussed restricting the incoming government’s future power. The January 12 legislative session will test whether the voter-backed shift can translate into policy.
Republican Senate Will Check Democrats’ Texas Agenda
Texas is heading into divided government, not a blank check for the incoming Democrats. Gina Hinojosa won the governor’s office and Democrats are set to control the House, but Republicans are expected to retain the Senate, where legislation must win support to advance.
Hinojosa says she will fire Education Commissioner Mike Morath on her first day. His term expires just before she takes office, allowing her to appoint a new commissioner in January. She will also have appointment powers over state agencies and university boards, making those decisions consequential for the state’s institutions.
But a new commissioner will not immediately end the state takeover of Houston Independent School District. State law phases elected board members back in over time, and only once they hold a majority could they remove Superintendent Mike Miles. The transition is gradual, not an overnight reversal.
Lieutenant Governor-elect Vikki Goodwin will preside over the Senate and influence which bills are considered, but Republicans’ expected majority gives them a decisive role in the legislative process. Abortion, gambling and marijuana are among the issues raised during the campaign. The session begins January 12, after Republicans have had two more months with full control; some have discussed laws to restrict the incoming government’s power.
Reported by ABC13 Houston, KPRC 2 Click2Houston, Houston Public Media.
