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Democrats’ victories in Texas statewide and legislative races could alter public-school leadership and policy, including state takeovers and standardized testing. Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa’s campaign promises face legal and political limits: several require legislative changes, and the source report says Republicans retain a Senate majority.
Democrats’ election victories in Texas could reshape public-school leadership, testing and state oversight, but Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa cannot enact much of her education agenda alone. The 74 reported that several campaign pledges—including ending state takeovers and replacing the state’s testing system—would require changes to state law, while confirmation of a new education commissioner depends on the Texas Senate.
Hinojosa, a former Austin school board president, won the governor’s race after campaigning to protect public schools. She said she would remove Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath on her first day and end state takeovers of school districts. Morath’s term is due to expire in January, when the incoming governor is expected to take office, according to The 74.
The governor must nominate a replacement for the TEA commissioner and submit the choice to the Senate. The report says the state constitution requires approval by two-thirds of the Senate during the legislative session. If a nominee is not approved, the role remains vacant; the governor must nominate another person, though an appointment during a Senate recess could serve until lawmakers return and vote.
Hinojosa has also opposed STAAR, Texas’ standardized testing system, and the replacement plan lawmakers passed in 2025. That law calls for three shorter assessments during the school year, known as the Student Success Tool, beginning next school year. Changing the law would require legislative action, and federal law still requires annual reading and math assessments in grades three through eight and once in high school, the report says.
The Limits on a New School Agenda
The possible changes affect millions of Texas students and the officials who govern their schools. A change in the TEA commissioner could affect how the agency administers state policy and manages districts under state control. But Hinojosa’s election does not itself reverse laws that mandate particular oversight or testing practices.
The split in political power described by The 74 makes the legislative path uncertain. Although Democrats gained statewide offices and control of the state House, the report says Republicans retained a majority in the Senate. That chamber can weigh in on commissioner nominees and legislation, limiting how quickly the new administration could carry out its pledges.
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Testing and Takeovers Under State Law
Texas students take STAAR assessments in several grades and subjects. The state’s 2025 law sets out a replacement schedule of three assessments across the school year; the change is due to begin next school year. Hinojosa opposes that system, but the report says she would need lawmakers to amend the law. Federal testing requirements would remain in effect regardless of the state’s choice of assessment.
The 74 reported that seven Texas districts, including Houston and Fort Worth, had been placed under state control since 2023. State law requires the education commissioner to take over a district after one of its campuses receives five consecutive academically unacceptable ratings, or to close the failing school. A new commissioner could replace appointed managers and decide when elected trustees return to authority, but ending takeovers as a policy would require changing state law.
Which Promises Can Become Law
The election results do not establish whether Hinojosa can secure Senate confirmation for a commissioner nominee or win legislative support for changing testing and takeover laws. The report describes Republicans as holding a Senate majority, but does not provide the final legislative vote margins or details of negotiations over the proposals.
It is also unclear who Hinojosa will nominate, whether lawmakers will approve that person, and how any policy changes would be carried out. The source report notes that a new commissioner could alter management arrangements in districts already under state control, but it does not identify which managers might be replaced or when elected trustees could resume authority.
Senate Votes and the New Session
The next milestones are Hinojosa’s January swearing-in and the coming legislative session. She is expected to nominate a TEA commissioner, whose appointment must go before the Senate under the process described by The 74. Lawmakers would also have to consider any bills to change STAAR’s replacement system or the statutory rules for district takeovers.
Until those decisions are made, the policies and legal requirements in place remain the basis for school testing and state oversight. The extent of any shift will depend on the governor’s nominations, Senate action and whether legislation passes.
Key Questions
What education changes did Gina Hinojosa promise?
She pledged to remove TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, oppose the new Student Success Tool testing system and end state takeovers of public school districts. Many of those goals require legislative or Senate action.
Can Texas stop standardized testing altogether?
No. The report says federal law requires annual reading and math tests in grades three through eight and once in high school. Texas could change its assessment system, but would still have to meet those federal requirements.
How would a new education commissioner be appointed?
Hinojosa would nominate a candidate for Senate consideration. The report says the nominee needs approval by two-thirds of the Senate during the legislative session. A recess appointment could serve until the Senate returns to vote.
Could the governor immediately end school district takeovers?
Not by herself. State law requires takeovers in specified circumstances, so ending the policy would require lawmakers to change the law. A new commissioner could, however, replace appointed managers or set a date for elected trustees to return to their roles.
Source: the74million.org
