Texas Republicans Question Incoming Education Leaders

Texas families with students in public schools should watch how the incoming Governor and Senator approach education policy.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a simplified state capitol dome silhouette above a flat horizon, with a small school-bell form in the foreground. — Republican state Representatives Cody Harris and Cole Hefner criticized incoming Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa and U.S. Senator-elect James Talarico over their education policy records. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Two East Texas Republican state representatives, Cody Harris of Palestine and Cole Hefner of Mount Pleasant, criticized Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico as not moderate. Hinojosa is Governor-elect of Texas and Talarico is U.S. Senator-elect from Texas.

Why it matters

Harris and Hefner served alongside Hinojosa and Talarico on the Committee on Public Education during the 88th Legislature, so their comments carry weight for Texas households tracking how state and federal education policy may shift. Their remarks suggest the incoming leaders may pursue changes that reverse much of the last few years of legislative work.

Harris and Hefner both sat on the Committee on Public Education during the 88th Legislature with Hinojosa and Talarico. Harris said he has worked alongside the pair for the last eight years, and Hefner described them as personally likable and smart.

The players

Gina Hinojosa

Governor-elect of Texas who previously served in the Texas House, where she sat on the Committee on Public Education.

James Talarico

U.S. Senator-elect from Texas who previously served in the Texas House, where he sat on the Committee on Public Education.

Cody Harris

Republican state representative from Palestine, Texas, who served on the Committee on Public Education during the 88th Legislature.

Cole Hefner

Republican state representative from Mount Pleasant, Texas, who served on the Committee on Public Education during the 88th Legislature.

The details

Harris said Hinojosa and Talarico presented themselves as moderate Democrats during the campaign, but he argued their legislative record has been more partisan. Hefner said the pair's legislative history differs from their campaign presentation. Harris also said the two believe they have a mandate to undo much of the last few years' work. Hefner said the Republican representatives will work with the pair where they agree and oppose them where they do not.

The 88th Legislature is when Harris, Hefner, Hinojosa and Talarico served together on the Committee on Public Education.
The article reporting the criticism was published on November 6, 2026.

The Home Front

The 88th Legislature's Committee on Public Education is the shared record that Texas officials now point to when debating the direction of school policy. Texas families tracking school funding and curriculum decisions will see this record used as the baseline for how the incoming leadership may act.

Texas families with students in public secondary schools should watch for any announced changes to school policy from the incoming Governor and Senator. Keep copies of your child's current school calendar and curriculum notices so you can compare them against any future changes.

The takeaway

Texas households with school-age children should expect education policy to become a focus of the incoming state leadership. Keep a folder of school notices, calendars and policy updates from your district so you can track how any changes affect your family.