Member, State Board of Education, District 13

Carlos (Charlie) Garza

Republican

On ballot as: Carlos (Charlie) Garza
Current role: Retired teacher
Background: B.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale (per Dallas Morning News questionnaire)
M.S., Old Dominion University (per the questionnaire)
Retired U.S. Navy veteran (per Dallas Morning News editorial)
Former naval submarine officer (per 2012 Texas Tribune report)
"24 years of experience as an educator and administrator" (per the questionnaire)
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Born and raised in Texas (per the questionnaire)
District resident, 23 years (per the questionnaire)
Experience: Republican nominee, replacing primary winner April Williams Moore (per Ballotpedia)
Moore was found ineligible for the general election ballot (per Ballotpedia)
Filing for this race dated Aug. 24, 2026 (per Texas Secretary of State's candidate list)
Member, State Board of Education, District 1 (West Texas, including El Paso) (2011–2013)
Elected to that seat in 2010; lost the 2012 general election to Martha Dominguez
Assistant principal, Clint ISD near El Paso (as of 2012) (per Texas Tribune)
Top priorities: "No family should be trapped by a ZIP code or forced to accept a school that does not meet state standards."
"Texas voters deserve a real voice in major education decisions—not decisions made behind closed doors by unelected officials."
"Book approval belongs closest to the people it affects most: local school boards and parents."
On reading: "That starts with training teachers in the science of reading, putting proven phonics materials in every classroom"
Tidbits: Curriculum and instructional materials: In a Dallas Morning News questionnaire, on religious content: "we should not erase or ignore the important role religion has played in shaping our nation's history, laws, conflicts, and social movements"
Library books: In a Dallas Morning News questionnaire: "Book approval belongs closest to the people it affects most: local school boards and parents."
School funding and bonds: No public statement found
Vouchers / school choice: In a Dallas Morning News questionnaire, on education savings accounts: "Giving families more choices creates the pressure schools need to improve."
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: Not found

Tiffany Clark

Democratic Incumbent

On ballot as: Tiffany Clark
Current role: Member, State Board of Education, District 13 (since January 1, 2025)
Background: 2007 DeSoto High School graduate
Bachelor's degree, University of Houston
Master's in community and school counseling, University of North Texas
Doctorate, Abilene Christian University
Has worked as a middle and high school counselor
Has worked as an adjunct professor
Experience: Member, State Board of Education Committee on School Initiatives
DeSoto ISD school board trustee (2017–2023)
Democratic primary (March 3, 2026): won, 71.2% over Kimberly Boswell
Top priorities: "Advocate for a balanced curriculum that includes an improved testing instrument aligned with Texas standards."
"Ensure equal opportunities for students to be college and career-ready, with a focus on access to community-based training."
"Fight for the mental health of students, staff, and teachers within the public school system."
"Protect the integrity and acknowledge the diversity of students and cultures in public education."
Tidbits: Curriculum and instructional materials: In a Dallas Morning News questionnaire, on religious content: "Public schools should teach about religion when it is academically appropriate; not teach religion."
Library books: In a Dallas Morning News questionnaire: "The librarians should keep the authority in knowing what books should be available."
School funding and bonds: In a Dallas Morning News questionnaire: "We need more money to be put back into public schools"
Vouchers / school choice: In a Dallas Morning News questionnaire, on education savings accounts: "let's be honest: that's not school choice, that's sabotage"
Endorsements: Texas AFL-CIO
Texas AFT
The Dallas Morning News editorial board
Dr. Frederick D Haynes III (listed by campaign)
Dr. Opal Lee (listed by campaign)
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Senator Royce West (listed by campaign)
Hon. Mavis Knight (listed by campaign)
Representative James Talarico (listed by campaign)
Trustee Chasiti McKissic (listed by campaign)
Commissioner Alisa Simmons (listed by campaign)
Trustee David Espinoza (listed by campaign)
Councilwoman Deborah Peoples (listed by campaign)
Trustee Byron Sanders (listed by campaign)
Commissioner Rodderick Miles (listed by campaign)
Trustee Carma Morgan (listed by campaign)
Trustee Ed Turner (listed by campaign)
Trustee Karen Lacy (listed by campaign)
Trustee Fred Campos (listed by campaign)
Trustee Abe Cooper Jr. (listed by campaign)
Trustee Bryan Parra (listed by campaign)
Hon. Carolyn King Arnold (listed by campaign)
Hon. Crystal Chism (listed by campaign)
Rep. Nicole Collier (listed by campaign)
Trustee Amber Moffitt (listed by campaign)
Hon. Ron Price (listed by campaign)
Hon. John Warren (listed by campaign)
Trustee Quintin Phillips (listed by campaign)
Trustee Dr. Marilyn Tolbert (listed by campaign)
Hon. Shaunte Allen (listed by campaign)
Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA/NEA) (listed by campaign)
Dallas Southern Pride (listed by campaign)
Dallas County East Democrats (listed by campaign)
The 23rd Senatorial District Tejano Democrats (listed by campaign)
Gustavo Reveles, State Board of Education member (listed by campaign)
Staci Childs, State Board of Education member (listed by campaign)
Dr. Rebecca Bell-Metereau, State Board of Education member (listed by campaign)
Marisa Perez-Diaz, State Board of Education member (listed by campaign)
Asian Texans for Justice Action Fund (listed by campaign)
Dream City PAC (listed by campaign)
Campaign website: tiffanyclark4stateofeducation.com