Seven of the 15 spots on the Texas State Board of Education, the state’s primary means for setting policies and standards for the public school system, are set to appear on the general election ballot in November 2024 – but not before key spots are determined during the primary election.
In North Texas, Districts 11 (Fort Worth) and 12 (Fairview) will see Republican incumbent members Pat Hardy and Pam Little challenged in the primary election in March. They both are expected to be joined by Democratic opponents on the ballot, as well.
The District 10 primary election, a seat associated with Florence, north of Austin, will also see primary competition coming up the Republican incumbent, Tom Maynard.
The SBOE recently saw a shakeup at the top with Gov. Greg Abbott-appointed District 15 Member Aaron Kinsey as chair early this month, replacing District 9 Member Keven Ellis, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The following candidates have been approved by the Texas Secretary of State to appear on the ballot for the Republican and Democratic parties for the primary election on March 5. Early voting is set to kick off on February 20.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. North Texas’ candidates are prioritized below, followed by the remaining seats presented in numerical order.
Member, State Board of Education, District 11
Republican primary candidates:
Brandon Hall, pastor from Weatherford
Campaign website: https://brandonhallfortexas.com/
Patricia “Pat” Hardy, retired from Fort Worth (Incumbent)
Campaign website: https://hardyforeducation.com/
Democratic primary candidate:
Rayna Glasser, teacher
Campaign website: None
Member, State Board of Education, District 12
Republican primary candidates:
Chad Green, coding from McKinney
Campaign website: https://chadgreenfortexas.com/
Jamie Kohlmann, real estate agent
Campaign website: None
Pam Little, business owner (Incumbent)
Campaign website: https://www.pamlittle.com/
Matt Rostami, eye surgeon
Campaign website: https://www.rostamimd.com/
Democratic primary candidate:
George King, retired
Campaign website: None
Member, State Board of Education, District 1
Republican primary candidate:
Michael (Travis) Stevens, educator
Campaign website: None
Democratic primary candidate:
Gustavo Reveles, school district administrator
Campaign website: None
Member, State Board of Education, District 3
Democratic primary candidate:
Marisa B. Perez-Diaz, VP of impact & marketing, Firstmark Credit Union
Campaign website: None
Member, State Board of Education, District 4
Democratic primary candidate:
Staci Childs, attorney
Campaign website: None
Member, State Board of Education, District 10
Republican primary candidates:
Mary Bone, engineer
Campaign website: https://drbone4tx.com/
D.C. Caldwell I, educator
Campaign website: https://danieljcaldwell.wordpress.com/
Tom Maynard, retired educator/rancher (Incumbent)
Campaign website: http://maynardfortexas.com/
Democratic primary candidates:
D.C. Caldwell I, educator
Campaign website: https://danieljcaldwell.wordpress.com/
Raquel Saenz Ortiz, assistant professor
Campaign website: https://drsofortexas.com/
Member, State Board of Education, District 15
Republican primary candidate:
Aaron Kinsey, CEO from Midland (Incumbent)
Campaign website: https://kinseyfortexas.com/
Democratic primary candidate:
Morgan Kirkpatrick, marketing coordinator
Campaign website: None
