State

Member, State Board of Education, District 8

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The 15-member State Board of Education sets curriculum standards for Texas public schools, reviews and adopts instructional materials, sets graduation requirements and oversees the Texas Permanent School Fund.

Candidates Compare by issue

Dana Van De Walker

Democratic

Educational Administrator · Conroe

The gist

Supports separation of church and state.
Supports more investment in Texas public schools.
Supports affordable higher education for all Texans.

More about Dana

View sources (2)

Supports separation of church and state.
Dana for TX State Board of Education, District 8
Campaign website · dana4txsboe8.com
“Separation of church and state”
Supports more investment in Texas public schools.
Dana for TX State Board of Education, District 8
Campaign website · dana4txsboe8.com
“Investment in Texas public schools”
Supports affordable higher education for all Texans.
Dana for TX State Board of Education, District 8
Campaign website · dana4txsboe8.com
“Affordable Higher Education for All”
Meet Dana
Campaign website · dana4txsboe8.com
“Dana is passionate about affordable and accessible education for all Texans”

Audrey G. Young

RepublicanIncumbent

Educator · Trinity

The gist

Voted against proposed science and health standards and textbooks.
Led revision of the state Dyslexia Handbook.
Opposes Common Core curriculum in Texas schools.
Supports agricultural and career training in public schools.
Supports local control of Texas public schools.

More about Audrey

View sources (2)

Voted against proposed science and health standards and textbooks.
Dr. Audrey Young: Issues
Campaign website · sboe8.com
“Dr. Young joined with other conservative Republicans to reject Science TEKS, Health TEKS, and textbooks”
Led revision of the state Dyslexia Handbook.
Dr. Audrey Young: Issues
Campaign website · sboe8.com
“Dr. Young worked with stakeholders across the state to revise the Dyslexia Handbook”
Opposes Common Core curriculum in Texas schools.
Dr. Audrey Young: Issues
Campaign website · sboe8.com
“stop liberal, out-of-state companies from introducing Common Core curriculum into Texas schools”
Supports agricultural and career training in public schools.
Dr. Audrey Young: Issues
Campaign website · sboe8.com
“understands the importance of agricultural and career training for public school students”
Supports local control of Texas public schools.
Dr. Audrey Young for SBOE District 8
Campaign website · sboe8.com
“instilled in her a deep appreciation for the local control of Texas public schools”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 2 issues covered in this race.