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Member, State Board of Education, District 4 (Unexpired Term)

2-year termUnexpired term through 2028. Former member Staci Childs (D) resigned to run for the Texas House. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Tammie Nielsen on Aug. 24, 2026, to serve through Dec. 31, 2026 or until a successor qualifies. Democratic precinct chairs selected Coretta Mallet-Fontenot as nominee on Aug. 15, 2026. Ballot order and 'Unexpired Term' label from the Harris County sample ballot. District covers central and eastern Harris County and part of Galveston County.Partially researched. Last researched Oct 20, 2026Report a correction
RepublicanIncumbent
Democratic
Priorities for This Office
What does the candidate say they would prioritize in this office?
Says she focuses on educational excellence and supporting parents and teachers, and cites her Christian faith as guiding her service. 
Supports fully funded pre-K and pay raises for school employees, research-based science and history standards, and limits on new charter school applications; says STAAR does not accurately measure students. 
Relevant Experience
What experience does the candidate cite as qualifying them for this office?
Cites nonprofit leadership roles, civic boards in Pasadena, and prior work in state and local government offices. 
Cites 27 years as a Houston-area educator and a doctorate in professional leadership. 
Operations and Service
What changes, if any, does the candidate propose to how the office operates or serves the public?
No public position found.
Searched Oct 20, 2026.
Says she would hold the Texas Education Agency commissioner accountable for the Houston ISD takeover and calls on TEA to expand academic and social-emotional support. 
Issue 1 of 3

Priorities for This Office

What does the candidate say they would prioritize in this office?
RepublicanIncumbent
Says she focuses on educational excellence and supporting parents and teachers, and cites her Christian faith as guiding her service. 
Democratic
Supports fully funded pre-K and pay raises for school employees, research-based science and history standards, and limits on new charter school applications; says STAAR does not accurately measure students. 
Sources for this contest (5)
  1. General and Special Elections sample ballot, November 3, 2026, Harris County Clerk / HarrisVotes. Retrieved Oct 20, 2026.
  2. Meet the candidates running for Texas' State Board of Education in 2026, The Texas Tribune (via KSAT). Retrieved Oct 20, 2026.
  3. Governor Abbott Appoints Nielsen To State Board Of Education, Office of the Texas Governor. Retrieved Oct 20, 2026.
  4. Landslide win for Coretta Mallet-Fontenot in SBOE District 4, Texas AFT. Retrieved Oct 20, 2026.
  5. Candidate Bio Portal: 2026 qualified candidates, Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved Oct 20, 2026.