Texas Education Board Majority Slides to One Seat as Democrats Take Four Seats

Four new Democrats won seats on the Texas State Board of Education in Tuesday's elections, reducing the Republican majority to a single undecided race. Unofficial returns show the board is currently split 7-7, with the final outcome hinging on the contest in District 8. The previous 11-4 Republican control has ended regardless of who wins that last seat.

In District 8, Democrat Dana Van de Walker leads Republican incumbent Audrey Young by fewer than 600 votes. Only 1% of the total vote in that race remains uncounted, according to preliminary data. Provisional and mail-in ballots are still pending, and a candidate may request a recount given the narrow margin. Young has served on the board since 2021 and frequently votes with the group's right-wing faction.

Democrats Thomas Ray Garcia, Coretta Mallet-Fontenot, Allison Bush, and Michelle Palmer won their respective races. Incumbent Tiffany Clark also secured her seat. On the Republican side, newcomers Kason Huddleston and Mindy Bumgarner defeated their opponents, as did incumbent Julie Pickren. Garcia won his contested race by a wide margin after Republican incumbent LJ Francis failed to win the March primary.

The board's composition has shifted away from the consensus Republicans who previously held power. Three moderate Republicans chose not to seek reelection, and the GOP candidates who replaced them embraced a more partisan Christian conservative style. This faction has recently approved changes to social studies lessons that downplay the history of slavery and mandated Bible readings for public school students.

Board members serve four-year terms and control the curriculum, textbook approvals, and charter school licensing. They also oversee a school fund worth billions of dollars. Conservative interest groups spent tens of thousands of dollars on these races, while many Democratic candidates cited frustration with the board's political direction as their motivation for running.

With Democrat Gina Hinojosa winning the gubernatorial race, leadership on the board may change. State law allows the governor to appoint the board chair from among the elected members, a selection that requires Senate approval. Republican Aaron Kinsey currently holds the chairmanship, having been appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this year.

Texas Republicans are expected to maintain control of the state Senate, though Democrat Vikki Goodwin will preside as lieutenant governor. The education board has faced complaints about error-riddled learning materials and debates over the inclusion of a Native Studies course. Members also rejected science textbooks over climate change messaging and walked back opposition to school vouchers.