With Nine Seats Up for Election, SBOE Turns Blue for First Time in More Than 30 Years
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2026
Contact:
Andrew Freeman, [email protected], 512-746-8404
AUSTIN, Texas – Democrats are expected to take control of the State Board of Education by 8-7 after winning six of the nine seats up for election in the midterms.
Texas Freedom Network endorsed the full slate of Democrats, including Thomas Ray Garcia, who defeated Republican Victoria Hinojosa in South Texas. Tiffany Clark held her seat in District 13, but Democrats also won in Districts 4, 5, 6 and 8, in some cases, by incredibly close margins.
Republicans previously held an 11-4 supermajority, which they used to push through a social studies curriculum criticized by parents and educators alike for being historically inaccurate and prioritizing ideology and politics over education.
Texas Freedom Network, which has been a watchdog of the SBOE since its founding in 1995, also criticized the Board for its attacks on religious freedom and white washing of history. This includes how those of Islamic faith were treated, both in its proposed curriculum and during public testimony.
“This year, Texas families showed up at the SBOE again and again with one simple demand: teach the truth. The Republican Board didn’t listen, but as always, voters get the final say.” said Felicia Martin, Executive Director of the Texas Freedom Network. “We are fed up with political ideologies being put over the education of our kids, and families have made that mandate quite clear.”
TFN greatly invested in the SBOE races, targeting tens of thousands of low-propensity voters with mailers, phone calls and more than 100,000 text messages.
All of the Democratic challengers who are now joining the Board bring actual education experience, including Garcia, who is a professor and former high school teacher.
When governor-elect Gina Hinojosa takes office in January, she’ll also be able to appoint the next Chair of the Board.
Cecile Richards, daughter of former governor Ann Richards, founded TFN more than 30 years ago following deep concerns with the SBOE. This will be the first time since 1994, before the organization’s founding, that the SBOE will be in Democratic control.
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The Texas Freedom Network is a grassroots organization of religious and community leaders and young Texans building an informed and effective movement for equality and social justice.
