Texas Transition: Goodwin To Name Staff
The incoming vice governor will announce her leadership team Tuesday as the state prepares for a split-control legislature in 2027.
By Marta Gray ·
Vikki Goodwin will reveal her transition team on Tuesday. The announcement comes as Texas enters a period of shifting political power ahead of the next legislative session. Goodwin, the elected vice governor, will lead the state Senate under the new configuration of state government.
Following the midterm elections, Democrats secured a majority in the Texas House of Representatives. Republicans retained control of the State Senate. Goodwin, a Democrat, will serve as the presiding officer of that chamber. Her role places her in the second-highest executive position in the state.
The Texas Constitution grants the vice governor specific powers. The office holder acts as the Senate president. The vice governor also assumes the duties of the governor if the incumbent resigns or dies while in office. This structural setup ensures a clear line of succession for the state's chief executive.
The 2027 legislative session will operate under a divided government. Democrats will hold the majority in the lower house, while Republicans keep the upper house majority. Goodwin will preside over the Senate as the party minority leader in that chamber. This arrangement creates a new dynamic for lawmaking in the state capital.
Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Governor Greg Abbott in the recent election. Hinojosa becomes the first Democrat elected to the Texas governorship in nearly forty years. This shift in the executive mansion complements the changes occurring in the legislative branch.
Goodwin currently serves her fourth term in the Texas House of Representatives. She represents District 47, which covers parts of West Travis County. The district includes southwest Austin, Bee Cave, Lakeway, and the Lake Travis area. She was first elected to the House in 2018.
Before her current role, Goodwin worked as a small business owner and a real estate agent. During the 88th legislative session, she sponsored bills on drowning prevention in childcare centers and domestic violence response. She also advanced legislation for mental health services and recovery. She helped create the Texas Food Security and Resiliency Council. Her legislative record includes work on public school funding, gun safety, environmental protection, and affordable housing.
