Democrats won four new seats on the 15-member Texas State Board of Education in the election, according to the Associated Press. Democrats Thomas Ray Garcia, Coretta Mallet-Fontenot, Allison Bush and Michelle Palmer won their races. Democratic incumbent Tiffany Clark also won. Republicans Kason Huddleston and Mindy Bumgarner won, as did Republican incumbent Julie Pickren.
One seat remains undecided. In District 8, Democrat Dana Van de Walker leads Republican incumbent Audrey Young by fewer than 600 votes, according to unofficial returns. About 1% of the vote in that race has not been counted. Provisional and mail-in ballots are still pending, and it is unclear when final results will be released. A candidate can request a recount in close races. Excluding District 8, Democrats and Republicans each hold seven seats.
The board sets what public school students learn, approves learning materials and reviews charter school proposals. Its duties in the coming years include an overhaul of Texas math standards and approval of social studies textbooks. Members serve four-year terms. Republicans held an 11-4 majority before this election.