Democrats seize control of Texas education board in narrow Tuesday wins
Unofficial results show Democrats doubling their seats to eight, ending a Republican supermajority that shaped state curriculum for years.
By Charles Reed ·
For the first time in years, parents and educators in Texas will see a state education board with a different voting balance. Unofficial results released Tuesday night indicate that Democratic candidates have won enough seats to double their representation on the Texas State Board of Education from four to eight members. This shift breaks the Republican supermajority that has dominated board decisions regarding curriculum and policy.
The change in power rests on several tight races. In District 8, Democrat Dana Van De Walker defeated Republican incumbent Audrey Young by a margin of slightly more than 500 votes. Young has the option to request a recount due to the narrow gap. Other Democratic victors include Thomas Ray Garcia in District 2, Corretta Mallet-Fontenot in District 4, Allison Bush in District 5, and Michelle Palmer in District 6. Democrat Tiffany Clark secured re-election in her district, bringing the total Democratic count to eight. Republicans Julie Pickren in District 7, Kason Huddleston, and Mindy Baumgarner also won their respective seats.
Van De Walker expressed caution regarding the final outcome despite the early lead. She noted on social media that the process remains incomplete until votes are officially certified. “I’m still processing it,” Van De Walker said. “Things are not official official until votes are certified. So we are kind of waiting with baited breath.” Young did not respond immediately to inquiries about whether she would pursue a recount.
The board holds substantial authority over the public education system in Texas. It sets curriculum standards and selects instructional materials for more than five million public school students. The body also oversees the State Board of Educator Certification and manages teacher certification standards. Additionally, the board retains the power to veto applications from charter schools, a function that has become increasingly relevant as charter popularity rises across the state.
This election result coincides with a broader shift in state political leadership. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has pledged to replace Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath with an educator. Consequently, the newly balanced board will operate alongside a new commissioner. This alignment suggests that education legislation affecting board proposals may face a different legislative environment than in previous cycles.
Tricia Cave, a lobbyist with the Association of Texas Professional Educators, described the new dynamic as a necessary adjustment for both parties. “This is a very different world,” Cave said. “It’s going to require Republicans and Democrats to learn how to work together to get things done, and the only way to work together successfully to get things accomplished for the people of Texas is to find some consensus and some compromise, and that’s not something we’ve seen from this board in quite a while.”
Not all Republican members accepted the shift gracefully. Brandon Hall, a board member whose term continues through 2029, posted a message on social media pledging to continue representing Christian conservative values in North Texas. Hall stated he would fight against what he called mediocrity and woke classroom indoctrination. “I will not collaborate with it, and I will not sit idly by and watch it pass,” Hall wrote. He added that he would use every available procedural tool to make passing a Democratic agenda as difficult as possible, warning that a Democratic leader should prepare for long weeks in Austin.
Recent board actions have drawn significant scrutiny and financial implications for school districts. This summer, the board approved changes to social studies lessons for grades K through 8, prioritizing Texas and U.S. history over world history. The board also passed the Blue Bonnet curriculum for grades K through 5, which incorporates biblical teachings into reading and language arts. The Texas Tribune reported that correcting errors in this program cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Houston ISD, the state's largest district, approved the curriculum in June and received more than $3 million in additional funding for its implementation. In September, the board approved changes to history lessons that portray Islam negatively, with those changes set to take effect during the 2030-2031 school year.
