Democrats Lead Four Undecided Texas Education Races
If current leads hold, the board's Republican majority would shrink from 11-4 to 8-7, changing Texas curriculum votes.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Should Democrats gain significant influence over Texas school curriculum decisions?
Democrats lead in four of the eight Texas State Board of Education races still undecided as of November 4, 2026, while the Associated Press has called only one board race so far. Democratic incumbent Tiffany Clark defeated Republican Carlos "Charlie" Garza in a race covering large portions of Dallas and Tarrant Counties.
Why it matters
Republicans currently hold an 11-4 majority on the board, and if current leads hold the split would shrink to 8-7, changing who controls decisions on what Texas students learn. The board sets statewide curriculum that shapes classroom materials families see at home.
The Clark-Garza race covers large portions of Dallas and Tarrant Counties, and the Associated Press has called only that one board race so far. Republicans hold an 11-4 majority on the board, which would fall to 8-7 if current leads hold.
The players
Texas State Board of Education
The elected body that sets statewide curriculum standards and approves textbooks used in Texas public schools.
Tiffany Clark
Democratic incumbent on the Texas State Board of Education who won the Dallas and Tarrant County race against Carlos Garza.
Carlos "Charlie" Garza
Republican candidate who lost the Dallas and Tarrant County Texas State Board of Education race to Tiffany Clark.
Aaron Kinsey
Republican who currently chairs the Texas State Board of Education after his reappointment by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Gov. Greg Abbott
Texas governor who appoints the State Board of Education chair and reappointed Aaron Kinsey earlier this year.
The details
Early returns show Democrats and Republicans each leading in four of the eight races still undecided, so the final split depends on how those counts finish. The governor appoints the board chair, and Republican Aaron Kinsey currently holds that post after Gov. Greg Abbott reappointed him earlier this year. The board is set to rewrite Texas math standards and approve social studies textbooks soon, so the makeup of the board may affect those decisions.
Timeline
November 4, 2026: Election results remained undecided as of Wednesday morning.
Earlier in 2026: Gov. Greg Abbott reappointed Aaron Kinsey as board chair.
The Home Front
Texas school board elections shape the curriculum that children bring home each night, from math standards to social studies textbooks. A shift in board control can change the homework and reading families see for years.
If you have children in Texas public schools, check your district's posted math and social studies materials as the board moves toward final decisions. Keep an eye on the final board split, since it will affect which curriculum changes take effect in your child's classroom.
The takeaway
A seat-by-seat shift on the State Board of Education can change what Texas students study for years, so watch the final certified results for your area. Keep a note of which board members represent your district so you can follow their curriculum votes.
What happens next
The Associated Press and state election officials will continue updating results for the eight undecided board races as counts are finalized.
Further reading
For more on how state education leadership is organized, see Administration in our Texas education coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Texas Tribune.
Live Poll
Should Democrats gain significant influence over Texas school curriculum decisions?
