From Texastribune · · 3m
Texas State Board of Education Candidates: 2026 Voter Guide
Texas voters choose SBOE candidates for 2026 education policy shifts.
In brief
Texas voters choose SBOE candidates for 2026 education policy shifts. Texas voters select State Board of Education members for 2026 elections to shape school standards and curriculum. Originally reported by Texastribune.
Texas State Board of Education Seats
Texas has 15 regional districts within the State Board of Education that sets standards for public school learning and approves instructional materials.
2026 Elections
Eight seats on the board are up for election for four-year terms with District 4 also contested after former member Staci Childs stepped down to run for Texas House.
Current Composition
Seven seats are held by Republicans including Gov. Greg Abbott’s temporary appointment for District 4, and two by Democrats.
Conservative Funding
Conservative political action committees are pouring thousands of dollars to keep several seats with outgoing Republicans red, District 2, District 6, and District 9.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
The State Board of Education sets standards known as Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, which outline what schoolchildren should learn in each grade.
Recent Changes
The board recently passed sweeping changes to social studies for kindergarten through high school and approved a new required reading list including Bible stories.
District 2 Candidates
Thomas Ray Garcia, a Democrat, and Victoria Hinojosa, a Republican, are competing for District 2 seat covering Rio Grande Valley counties.
District 4 Candidates
Coretta Mallet-Fontenot, a Democrat, and Tammie Nielsen, a Republican incumbent, are competing for District 4 seat covering parts of central and eastern Harris County.
District 5 Candidates
Allison Bush, a Democrat, and Mica Arellano, a Republican, are competing for District 5 seat covering Central Texas counties.
District 6 Candidates
Michelle Palmer, a Democrat, and Tiffany Nelson, a Republican, are competing for District 6 seat covering large portions of Harris and Montgomery counties.
District 7 Candidates
Tiffany Perkinz, a Democrat, and Julie Pickren, a Republican incumbent, are competing for District 7 seat covering Southeast and coastal counties.
District 8 Candidates
Dana Van De Walker, a Democrat, and Audrey Young, a Republican incumbent, are competing for District 8 seat covering Walker, Houston, Polk, Trinity, San Jacinto, Grimes, Waller counties.
District 9 Candidates
Ericka Ledferd, a Democrat, and Kason Huddleston, a Republican, are competing for District 9 seat covering North Texas counties.
District 13 Candidates
Tiffany Clark, a Democrat incumbent, and Carlos Garza, a Republican, are competing for District 13 seat covering Dallas and Tarrant counties.
District 14 Candidates
Amy Taylor, a Democrat, and Mindy Bumgarner, a Republican, are competing for District 14 seat covering North Texas counties.
What’s at Stake
The recent changes sparked contention as hundreds of students, educators and community members attended board meetings to speak on the changes.
The bottom line
Texas voters select State Board of Education members for 2026 elections to shape school standards and curriculum.
