Voters Oust Conservative School Board Members Across Texas

Recent school board elections in Texas saw voters oust several conservative incumbents who had supported or implemented book bans and restrictive policies related to library content and gender identity. In districts like Katy ISD and Fort Bend ISD, candidates advocating for less restrictive book policies and greater transparency prevailed over those pushing for book removals and policies targeting LGBTQ themes. Similarly, in the Mansfield Independent School District, three conservative board members were defeated in a sweeping victory for challengers promising reforms and stronger support for public education. These results reflect a broader backlash against recent efforts to remove books deemed sexually explicit or controversial, as Texas has led the nation in public school book bans. The campaigns were marked by increased political polarization and outside interest group involvement, highlighting education policy as a key battleground for local governance. Voter turnout, while still modest, was notable for local elections, signaling strong community engagement on these issues.