8 seats up for grabs on the Texas State Board of Education in 2026

Several offices across Texas will be on the ballot in 2026, including eight seats on the state board of education.

When Texas voters head to the polls for the March primaries, they’ll have a large say in shaping public education as eight of the 15 seats on the State Board of Education are up for grabs. Here’s what to know.

How many members are on the board?

The Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) is made up of 15 members that are elected from districts across the state. 

Each member represents nearly two million people, and serves either two- or four-year terms.

See a map of each district. 

What does the board do?

The SBOE is required to meet at least quarterly, and meetings are open to the public. The board sets policies and standards for Texas public schools.

This includes reviewing and adopting instructional materials—including Bluebonnet Learning and social studies curriculum—establishing graduation requirements, overseeing the Texas Permanent School Fund, appointing board members to military reservation and special school districts, providing final review of rules proposed by the State Board for Educator Certification, and reviewing new charter schools.

The SBOE runs parallel with the Texas Education Agency, which is run by a commissioner that’s appointed by the governor. It doesn’t have any direct authority over local school districts—those are run by local school board trustees. 

There are also leadership positions within the SBOE. A chair, which is appointed by the governor from the 15 elected members. The chair requires Senate approval and serves a two-year term. The board also includes a vice chair and secretary, which are elected by the board members for two-year terms.

What seats are up for election in 2026?

Eight out of 15 seats are up for election in 2026, and the winners will serve a four-year term. 

• District 2—Brownsville
• District 5—San Marcos
• District 6—Houston
• District 7—Dickson
• District 8—Nacagdoches
• District 9—Lufkin
• District 13—Dallas
• District 14—Robinson

Who’s running?

In District 2, Thomas Garcia is running in the Democratic primary, while incumbent LJ Francis, Victoria Hinojosa, and Carrie Moore are running in the Republican primary.

Six Democrats will face off in the District 5 primary, which includes parts of Travis and Haynes Counties: Stephanie Bazan, Allison Bush, Abigail Gray, Kevin Jackson, Neto Longoria, Victor Sampson.

Mica Arellano will run in the Republican primary. The incumbent, Rebecca Bell-Metereau, did not run for reelection.

Michelle Palmer is running in the Democratic primary for District 6, while Tiffany Nelson and Barbara Denson will face off in the Republican primary. 

Incumbent Julie Pickren is running in the Republican primary for District 7. Five Democrats—Tiffany Perkinz, Adam Khan, Ben Estrada, Janell Burse, and Debra Drake Ambroise—will face each other in their primary.

Shahzeb Meghani and Dana Van De Walker are running in the Democratic primary for District 8. Incumbent Audrey Young and George Vachris are running in the Republican primary.

In District 9, Ericka Ledferd is running in the Democratic primary while Rachel Hogue, Kason Huddleston, and Stephen Yearout are running in the Republican primary.

Incumbent Tiffany Clark will face Kimberly Boswell in District 13, which represents Dallas. April Williams Moore is running in the Republican primary.

In District 14, Amy Taylor is running in the Democratic primary, while Mindy Bumgarner and Christine Malaguti will face each other in the Republican primary.

See who represents you.

When can I vote?

Early voting for the March primaries runs from Feb.17-27, with Election Day on March 3. Primary runoffs will take place on May 26.

Early voting in the general election will run from Oct. 19-30. Election Day is Nov. 3.