Democrat Dana Van de Walker led Republican State Board of Education member Audrey Young in District 8 by 564 votes, 300,108 to 299,544, in returns checked Friday. If the current leads hold, Democrats would control the 15-member board 8-7. The Texas Secretary of State's website shows 100% of polling locations reporting. Election officials have not yet certified the results.
In her 2026 Candidate Connection survey, Van de Walker wrote, "I believe that religion has no place in our public schools." She pledged to remove the Ten Commandments and religiously influenced curriculum while supporting students' individual religious practice. Her campaign pledge does not establish whether the board could overturn state laws on religious displays or instruction, according to the reporting.
The board sets learning standards and approves instructional materials for Texas public schools. It completed a high school social studies overhaul on September 4. Board Chair Aaron Kinsey (R-District 15) said in a September 8 announcement that students will graduate with "a solid understanding of our history." The Texas Education Agency's schedule starts the new social studies standards in elementary grades in 2030-31 and most high school courses in 2033-34.