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9h ago

Democrats Cut Into Texas State Board of Education Majority

Narrow Democratic gains threaten to reshape curriculum approval, charter decisions and takeover powers through the governor’s appointments and personnel changes.

Gina Hinojosa meets with voters at the Austin Recreation Center on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026. By winning the Texas governorship, Hinojosa is in a position to reshape how the state manages struggling school districts like Austin ISD, where she served as a trustee.
A school bus drives past the Texas Capitol Complex as State Board of Education members hold a meeting in the William B. Travis building in Austin on Nov. 17, 2023.
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Overview

  • Democrats captured at least four SBOE seats in the Nov. 3 election, and Associated Press tallies named multiple Democratic winners while several contests remained unresolved.
  • Two Houston-area contests, Districts 7 and 8, stayed extremely close with late ballots still uncounted, leaving final control of the 15‑member board uncertain; excluding those races Democrats hold seven seats and Republicans six.
  • Governor‑elect Gina Hinojosa pledged to fire Education Commissioner Mike Morath and can nominate the SBOE chair from among elected members, moves that would affect how textbooks are approved and which charter schools win state sign‑off.
  • Immediate changes face limits because many appointments and policy shifts require Texas Senate confirmation or new laws, and reporting indicates Republicans are likely to keep control of the state Senate.
  • The board controls curriculum standards, instructional materials, the $50+ billion Permanent School Fund and the 'Count to Five' takeover process, so the shift matters for local districts facing possible state intervention and for classroom policies long contested by educators and conservatives.