Central Texas Democrats compete in State Board of Education runoff

May 27, 2026 - 11:24

Voters in Central Texas will decide the Democratic nominee for the State Board of Education District 5 seat in a runoff election later this month. The two candidates, both from the region, advanced past the primary field but failed to secure a majority, forcing the additional contest.

The winner will go on to challenge the Republican incumbent in the general election this November. District 5 covers a wide swath of Central Texas, including parts of Austin and surrounding counties, making the race a key battleground for education policy in the state.

The candidates have focused their campaigns on local control of schools, curriculum standards, and funding for public education. One candidate has emphasized the need to protect classroom instruction from political interference, while the other has pushed for more transparency in how textbooks are selected and how history is taught.

Early voting in the runoff begins next week, with election day set for the end of the month. Both campaigns are working to turn out their supporters in what is typically a low-turnout contest. The outcome will set the stage for a high-stakes general election fight over the direction of Texas public schools.