New Democratic state leaders say transition teams will include Republicans

Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin and state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a Houston Democrat who is poised to become the next speaker of the Texas House, have announced bipartisan transition teams. Longtime Texas political operative Angela Hale will serve as executive director of the transition team for Goodwin, an Austin Democrat. Its co-chairs are outgoing Democratic state Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie; former Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, the party’s 2014 nominee for lieutenant governor; and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, also a former Democratic state senator. “I understand the immense responsibility of this position and I am ready to take it on,” Goodwin, a four-term state representative, said at her first Capitol press conference since being elected. “The voters sent a message on Tuesday evening: Texans want change and they want their elected leaders to be effective.” Rounding out the leadership team are former GOP state Sens. Kel Seliger, a foe of current Republican Lt.

This excerpt comes from the named source. Read the original for the full reporting.