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Editor’s note: To help readers learn more about the candidates running for statewide seats, The Texas Tribune is sharing information about the Republican, Democratic and third-party candidates. For more information on midterms and the voting process, check out our election resources here.
About the elected seats:
Texas has 15 regional districts within the State Board of Education, which sets standards for what public schoolchildren should learn and approves instructional materials. The board works closely with the commissioner of education and Texas Education Agency to develop policies and approve new charter schools. Eight seats on the board are up for election for four-year terms.
The District 4 seat is also up for election after former SBOE member Staci Childs stepped down to run for a Texas House seat. Whoever wins the District 4 election will complete the remainder of Childs’ term until 2028.
Seven seats are currently held by Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott’s temporary appointment for District 4, and two by Democrats. Only four incumbents are seeking re-election. And conservative political action committees are pouring thousands of dollars to keep several seats with outgoing Republicans red — District 2 along the Texas coast, District 6 in the Houston area and District 9 in North and East Texas.
The districts are drawn by the Legislature and are part of the redistricting process required by the federal law after the Census. The districts are similar in population size, though geographically some sprawl through many rural counties and others only cover portions of densely populated counties and cities.
What’s at stake:
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. The board members are in the early stages of revamping math standards after passing sweeping changes to social studies for students in kindergarten through high school earlier this year. They also approved a new required reading list that includes Bible stories such as those about Adam and Eve, the eight Beatitudes and the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Both changes will begin to take effect in the 2030-31 school year.
The recent moves sparked contention as hundreds of students, educators and community members attended the board meetings to speak on the changes. Critics say the updated social studies lessons and reading list minimized racial, geographic, cultural and religious diversity. Supporters say they will ensure students learn about Texas’ and the United States’ exceptionalism relative to the rest of the world.
Here’s a rundown of all the candidates. Use our ballot look-up tool below to see if your district’s State Board of Education seat is up for election this year.
Covering the Rio Grande Valley counties of Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy and the coastal counties of Kennedy, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, Refugio, Aransas, Calhoun, Victoria, Jackson, Wharton and Matagorda.
Thomas Ray Garcia
Democrat
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $2,426
💰 Major donors this year:
Texas American Federation of Teachers COPE Fund — $5,000
Alan Tijerina, teacher for Edinburg CISD — $4,000
Leonel Tijerina, teacher for Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD — $3,050
Experience:
English adjunct professor and professor at South Texas College, 2022-23 and 2024-present
Founder and director of College Scholarship Leadership Access Program, a nonprofit aiming to increase college enrollment rates in the Rio Grande Valley, 2013-23
Instructor at University of California, Los Angeles, 2018-20
Teacher at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, 2016-17
Author
Political ideology: Democrat
Policy stances:
Against state school voucher program
Against Bluebonnet curriculum
Against using STAAR for accountability scores
Supports funding increases for public schools, pay increases for school workers
Supports health classes as a high school graduation requirement
Supports having ethnic studies courses (Mexican-American, African-American, Native-American studies) count as social studies credits rather than electives
In the news:
Endorsements:
Texas American Federation of Teachers and the Texas AFL-CIO
Mothers Against Greg Abbott
Blue Horizon Texas
Gun Sense Voter
Run for Something
How to contact:
info@thomasraygarciatx.com
Victoria Hinojosa
Republican
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $9,204
💰 Major donors this year:
Texans for Educational Freedom, conservative political action committee “committed to fighting against Critical Race Theory” — $120,606
Elect Adam Hinojosa Campaign — $10,000
Monty Bennett, founder and CEO of Ashford real estate company, publisher of conservative news site the Dallas Express — $10,000
Experience:
Six years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard
Political ideology: According to her campaign website, one of Hinojosa’s campaign priorities is “restoring strong Texas family values in our public schools.”
Policy stances:
She says if elected, she will review charter applications to “ensure alignment” with conservative educational goals and will ensure textbooks are free of inappropriate material.
Says she would “continue to build opportunities for trade school and college credit programs, so our students have a faster (and more affordable) pathway.”
In the news:
Endorsements:
Gov. Greg Abbott
Protecting Texas Children
Los Fresnos Mayor Alejandro Flores
Texas Home School Coalition PAC
How to contact:
Covering parts of central and eastern Harris County.
Coretta Mallet-Fontenot
Democrat
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Oct. 5: $4,709
💰 Major donors this year:
Experience:
Organizer, per state filings
Bachelor’s in elementary education, master’s in secondary education, education doctorate in professional leadership
27 years of educator experience with positions in elementary, middle and high schools in the Houston area
Houston Federation of Teachers executive council member
Experience serving on district advisory and shared decision-making committees
Political ideology: Mallet-Fontenot says she wants to share her classroom experience with State Board of Education members who may not have such background. She says “schools have been hit hard by extremist views and those who would erase the history of African Americans and other marginalized groups,” according to her website.
Policy stances:
Supports fully funded Pre-K
Supports pay raises for school employees
Believes school curriculum should be based on science and facts
Says standardized tests, such as STAAR, do not accurately measure intelligence
In the news:
Endorsements:
U.S. Rep. Christian D. Menefee, D-Houston
Zeph Capo, President TX AFT
Jackie Anderson, President Houston Federation of Teachers
Candis Houston, President Aldine AFT
Shonda Below, President Northeast AFT
State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City
Houston Councilwoman Carolyn Evans Shabazz
Councilwoman Arnetta Murray, Iowa Colony/Brazoria County
How to contact:
info@corettaforsboe4.com
Tammie Nielsen
Republican, incumbent
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $0
💰 Major donors this year:
Experience:
Abbott temporarily appointed Nielsen to represent District 4 in August, filling the vacancy left by Staci Childs who resigned to run for the Texas House. Nielsen’s temporary appointment is set to end by the end of the year or until her successor takes office.
Nonprofit executive with a certificate from Rice University’s Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives.
Held leadership positions at the Pasadena nonprofits and emergency shelters New Beginnings Sarah’s House and Bridge Over Troubled Waters.
Served as the district director for former Republican state Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, during the 2019 legislative session and for former Republican state Rep. Ken Legler, R-Pasadena, from 2009 to 2012.
She was a community liaison for former Republican Harris County Commissioner Jack Morman from 2013 to 2019.
Political ideology: Nielsen says her “Christian faith is the foundation to her life and service” and that it guides her to “lead with integrity, accountability and compassion.”
Policy stances:
Nielsen says she is “committed to educational excellence, supporting parents and teachers, and helping ensure every Texas student has the opportunity to succeed.”
In the news:
Endorsements:
Gov. Greg Abbott
Houston Region Business Coalition
San Jacinto Conservatives
How to contact:
tammiewestnielsen@gmail.com
Covering the Central Texas counties of Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Blanco, Guadalupe and Caldwell.
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $9,101
💰 Major donors this year:
Campaign account of Rebecca Bell-Metereau, the outgoing SBOE member and Democrat representing District 5 — $5,000
Robert S. McNally, Austin attorney — $5,000
Association of Texas Professional Educators PAC — $2,500
Experience:
Bond election coordinator at Gallagher Construction, 2021 to present
Executive director of foundation and development for Pflugerville ISD, 2011 to 2019
Statewide director of development for Generation SERVE, a youth volunteering organization, 2020
Political ideology: Democrat; describes herself as a “former educator and proud union member”
Policy stances:
Supports policies that “reduce paperwork, provide resources, improve retention, and restore dignity” for teachers
Opposes “unlimited expansion” of charter schools at expense of public schools
In the news:
Endorsements:
Texas American Federation of Teachers and the Texas AFL-CIO
The Austin Chronicle
Mothers Against Greg Abbott
Education Austin
Rebecca Bell-Metereau SBOE member, district 5
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin
How to contact:
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $493
💰 Major donors this year:
Dee Anderson, mortgage underwriter at BFF Mortgage — $377 (includes an in-kind dinner)
Diane Johnson, retired — $120
Susan Wilson, retired registered nurse — $100
Experience:
Her website states she has “over 30 years in the classroom” as an educator and has worked alongside students, parents, and teachers
Political ideology: Republican who says she is “guided by service, faith, and a deep belief that every child deserves a strong foundation for their future”
Policy stances:
Her priorities include school safety, teacher support, including parents in key decisions and responsible spending
According to her website, she aims for schools to “return to strong, measurable curriculum standards that prepare students for real academic and career success”
How to contact:
Contact form on campaign website
Covering large portions of Harris and Montgomery counties.
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $22,274
💰 Major donors this year:
Audrey Nath, Houston neurologist — $1,586
Lesley Briones, Harris County Commissioner — $1,000
Paul Morgan, Houston resident — $684
Experience:
History and government teacher. Since 2009, she has taught a variety of subjects including math, English Language Arts and social studies.
Says she’s working on getting a master’s in American history and government
Political ideology: Democrat who says there are “several areas in which the curriculum can be changed to more accurately reflect both the values of Texans and the facts.”
Policy stances:
Accountability in how charter schools handle special education
Emphasizing consent in health class lessons, teaching climate change in science classes
Wants to remove mentions of Moses, the National Rifle Association and the Heritage Foundation from U.S. history lessons
Wants to ensure students learn how to analyze historical documents and primary sources
In the news:
Endorsements:
Texas American Federation of Teachers and the Texas AFL-CIO
Houston Chronicle
Houston LGBTQ+ Caucus
Houston Black American Democrats
Vote ProChoice
How to contact:
Tiffany Nelson
Republican
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $14,488
💰 Major donors this year:
Texans for Educational Freedom, a conservative political action committee “committed to fighting against Critical Race Theory,” — $90,387 (includes in-kind texting services)
Charter Schools Now PAC — $2,500
Texans United for a Conservative Majority, West Texas oil billionaire Tim Dunn’s political action committee — $2,500
Experience:
Previously on the Conroe ISD board
Founded and leads a nonprofit consulting firm
Political ideology:
Republican
While a Conroe ISD trustee, passed policy against “Radical Gender Ideology, aligning with President Trump’s executive order not to fund, sponsor, or support any efforts related to the gender transition of minors” and secured funding for posting of Ten Commandments in every classroom, according to her site.
Policy stances:
“Removing liberal indoctrination” including critical race theory, gender ideology and anti-American narratives from Texas schools
Empowering parents, increasing transparency, fighting wasteful spending
In the news:
Endorsements:
Gov. Greg Abbott
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
Julie Pickren, SBOE member
Brandon Hall, SBOE member
Texas Right to Life PAC
How to contact:
TiffanyNelsonforTexas@gmail.com
Campaign address: Tiffany Nelson for Texas, 100 Glenborough Drive, Suite #403 R Houston, TX 77067
District 7
Covering the Southeast and coastal counties of Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers, Jefferson, Orange, Liberty, Hardin, Tyler, Jasper and Newton.
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $8,978
💰 Major donors this year:
Catherine Lustgarten, Denton resident — $5,000
Terry Kosobud, member of Grandparents for Public Schools — $2,400
Bill Myers, business owner at Aquarium Systems — $1,250
Experience:
Founder of an online tutoring and test preparation company
Assistant director of Study Abroad and previously an English instructor at Lamar University
Taught high school English at Monsignor Kelly Catholic School and Port Neches-Groves High School
Holds a master’s of arts in English and a master’s of education in educational leadership at Lamar University
Political ideology:
Democrat who says she believes “every child deserves an honest, high-quality education that prepares them to think independently, solve problems, and participate fully in our democracy.”
Policy stances:
Says she believes Texans deserve public schools “free from partisan political agendas.”
Will make a motion on “day one” to amend the TEKS approved by the previous board “to restore political and religious neutrality”
Says she will ensure school curriculum includes “evidence-based science” and “honest-history”
In the news:
Endorsements:
Texas American Federation of Teachers and the Texas AFL-CIO
CAIR Action
Houston Chronicle
Texas Progressive Caucus
Secular Houston
How to contact:
info@tiffanyperkinz.com
Julie Pickren
Republican, incumbent
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $62,217
💰 Major donors this year:
Nachiketa Bhatt, philanthropist and doctor in Kentucky — $100,000
Nancy Best, Dallas philanthropist — $15,000
Vernadette Broyles, attorney in Georgia — $5,000
Experience:
Previous Alvin ISD trustee from 2015 to 2021
Appointed to the U.S. Department of Education Workforce Development Commission in January
SBOE member since 2023, vice chair of committee on school initiatives
Political ideology:
Anti-abortion
Sees having God in schools and school choice as solutions
In favor of increasing police presence, prosecuting violent crime, securing our border
Supports small government and decreasing taxes
Policy stances: According to her website, her priorities are increasing investment in education, “restoring values,” fighting against crime and corruption, and supporting “small and medium-sized enterprises”
In the news:
Endorsements:
President Donald Trump
Robin Armstrong, national committeeman of the Republican Party of Texas
Linda McMahon, U.S. Secretary of Education
Ben Carson, Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Conservative Republicans of Texas
Texas Right To Life
How to contact:
info@juliepickren.com
Covering the counties of Walker, Houston, Polk, Trinity, San Jacinto, Grimes, Waller and portions of Harris and Montgomery counties.
Dana Van De Walker
Democrat
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 30: $1,330
💰 Major donors this year:
Shahzeb Meghani, senior application analyst and former SBOE candidate — $1,000
Walker County Democratic Club — $500
Catherine Olson, professor at Lone Star College — $300
Experience:
Oversees a student program at Lone Star College
Has a doctorate of education in higher education leadership
Worked in international education at Sam Houston State University
Taught elementary and middle school English as a second language in Korea
Political ideology: Democrat who says she’s “committed to serving the interests of all community members.”
Policy stances:
According to her website, her priorities are affordable and accessible education for all Texans, separation of church and state and investment in Texas public schools.
In the news:
Endorsements:
Texas American Federation of Teachers and the Texas AFL-CIO
Houston Chronicle
Texas Progressive Caucus
Moms Demand Action
Asian American Democrats of Texas
How to contact:
Audrey Young
Republican, incumbent
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $25,437
💰 Major donors this year:
Sangita Kejrwal, medical doctor in Dallas — $5,000
Charter Schools Now PAC — $5,000
Moak Casey, education consulting and lobbying company — $2,500
Experience:
SBOE member since 2021
Was a local school trustee for six years
Served as director of student support services for Nacogdoches ISD
Former speech language therapist
Has a doctorate of education
Political ideology: Republican
Policy stances:
Wants to “keep conservative Texas values at the heart of Texas public education;” opposed Common Core curriculum
Prioritizing career and technical education programming
Using federal dollars to fund dyslexia services
Encourages policies that expand access to National Board certification programs
In the news:
Endorsements:
Gov. Greg Abbott
Houston Chronicle
Texas Alliance for Life
Texas Home School Coalition
How to contact:
dryoung@sboe8.com
P.O. Box 2683, Trinity TX 75862
District 9
Covering the North Texas counties of Nacogdoches, Shelby, Wood, Kaufman, Van Zandt, Upshur, Camp, Franklin, Titus, Morris, Cass, Marion, Gregg, Harrison, Smith, Cherokee, Panola, Angelina, San Augustine, Rockwall, Rains and Sabine.
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $637
💰 Major donors this year:
Regina Montoya, Dallas lawyer — $500
Rockwall County Democratic Party — $420
Nacogdoches County Democratic Party — $350
Experience:
Royse City ISD teacher, head ESL testing coordinator and ESL director
Candidate for Rockwall County Precinct 4 Commissioner in 2022
Founder of Ledferd PR agency
Political ideology:
Democrat who has volunteered for Democratic candidate campaigns
Policy stances:
Protecting public schools from privatization
According to her website, another priority is guiding Texas through the AI era responsibly
Endorsements:
Texas American Federation of Teachers and the Texas AFL-CIO
Dallas County East Democrats
Texas Progressive Caucus
Gun Sense Voter
How to contact:
Kason Huddleston
Republican
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $6,342
💰 Major donors this cycle:
Texans for Educational Freedom, conservative political action committee “committed to fighting against Critical Race Theory” — $99,695 (includes in-kind texting services)
Texans United for a Conservative Majority, West Texas oil billionaire Tim Dunn’s political action committee — $20,000
Republican Party of Rockwall County — $7,000
Experience:
Senior pastor and founder at Freedom Place Church in Rowlett
Former pastor and founder at the River Church in Rowlett
Political ideology: Republican
Policy stances:
Defend conservative values — “fight against government overreach and woke agendas”
Strengthen Texas schools
Protect parental rights
In the news:
Endorsements:
Gov. Greg Abbott
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
Julie Pickren, SBOE member
Brandon Hall, SBOE member
Texas Homeschool Coalition
How to contact:
info@huddlestonfortexas.com
P.O. Box 855 Rockwall, TX 75087
Covering large portions of Dallas and Tarrant counties.
Tiffany Clark
Democrat, incumbent
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $1,864
💰 Major donors this year:
James Talarico, Austin state representative and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate — $2,000
Oliver Black, principal in Dallas — $1,000
Campaign of state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas– $200
Experience:
Six years as a DeSoto ISD trustee
SBOE member since 2025 after she ran unchallenged and was elected to fill an unexpired term
Has a doctor of education
Runs a nonprofit leadership development program for teenage girls
Was an elementary, middle and high school counselor, as well as adjunct professor at University of North Texas at Dallas
Political ideology: Democrat
Policy stances:
Opposed Bible stories added to this year’s approved state reading list
Opposes book bans
Her priorities include emphasizing college and career readiness programs, with a focus on access to community-based training, advocating for the mental health of both students and teachers, as well as acknowledging and protecting “the diversity of students and cultures in public education.”
In the news:
Endorsements:
James Talarico, state representative and U.S. Senate candidate
Rebecca Bell-Metereau, SBOE member
Marisa Perez-Diaz, SBOE member
Staci Childs, former SBOE member
Gustavo Reveles, SBOE member
Texas American Federation of Teachers and the Texas AFL-CIO
Dallas County East Democrats
Dallas Southern Pride
Asian Texans For Justice Action Fund
Tejano Democrats of the 23rd Senatorial District
Texas State Teacher Association
How to contact:
Carlos (Charlie) Garza
Republican
💰 Campaign finance:
No reports found as of Oct. 12
💰 Major donors this cycle:
Experience:
Garza replaces April Williams Moore on the Republican ballot after Moore withdrew from the race because she lived just outside of the District 13 boundaries
Garza was previously elected to the State Board of Education in 2010 to represent the West Texas border region from El Paso to south of Laredo but lost re-election in the historically Democratic district in 2012
Garza is a former naval submarine officer, according to his website
Garza is a retired teacher, according to state candidate filings, and has experience as an instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent
Political ideology: Garza says he is running because “children deserve schools that challenge them, believe in them, and prepare them for life after graduation.” When he previously served on the State Board of Education, he sided with social conservatives on issues such as evolution, climate change and sex education.
Policy stances:
Wants schools to reassess and reduce the use of technology in the classroom
Wants schools to better prepare students for college so that they don’t need “non-credit remedial math and English,” including by reviewing the use of Advanced Placement courses and expanding dual-credit courses so “at least half of high school students complete college-level coursework before graduation”
Says Texas law should be amended so that elected SBOE members are the ones that decide whether a struggling public school district gets taken over
Wants statewide curriculum standards to focus “on rigorous academics, informed citizenship, and respect for civic traditions,” including through a required “civics course grounded in the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and other founding documents, while preventing political advocacy from replacing objective instruction”
In the news:
Endorsements:
Former District 13 candidate April Williams Moore
Texas Values Action
True Texas Project
Tarrant County Law Enforcement Association
How to contact:
Covering the counties of Clay, Montague, Jack, Wise, Palo Pinto, Eastland, Erath, Comanche, Bosque, Hamilton, Mills, Coryell, McLennan, Hill, Ellis and Navarro.
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $4,302
💰 Major donors this cycle:
Grace Anne McKay, Denton teacher — $1,000
Matthew Albanese, attorney in Massachusetts — $1,000
Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas PAC — $300
Experience:
Seventh grade English teacher
More than 15 years teaching in North Texas
Political ideology: Democrat
Policy stances:
Against school vouchers
Supports opt-out rights for required reading but says school book review committees should include librarians, teachers and parents
Supports state-funded teacher pay raises, increasing contributions to educator health insurance
In the news:
Endorsements:
Texas American Federation of Teachers and the Texas AFL-CIO
Texas State Teachers Association
Mothers Against Greg Abbott
Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas
Asian American Democrats of Texas
How to contact:
Mindy Bumgarner
Republican
💰 Campaign finance:
Cash on hand as of Sept. 24: $87,440
💰 Major donors this cycle:
Denton County Republican Lincoln Cabinet — $17,000
Monty Bennett, founder and CEO of Ashford real estate company, publisher of conservative news site the Dallas Express — $10,000
Maureen Haddad, Big Spring resident — $1,000
Experience:
Holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling psychology as well as a doctorate in clinical psychology from Argosy University
According to her website, she has “worked hands-on developing 504 plans”
Political ideology: Republican who believes “every child deserves a strong education built on the basics, not politics”
Policy stances:
Supports school choice and public charter schools
Supports full transparency in school curriculum
Says she aims to shift focus in classrooms from testing to curriculum
In the news:
Endorsements:
Gov. Greg Abbott
Texas Home School Coalition
Charter Schools Now PAC
How to contact:
mindy@mindybumgarner.com
Jaden Edison contributed reporting.