Former U.S. Department of Education official and labor leader

Montserrat Garibay is a former Austin ISD pre-K teacher and labor leader who lists a role as Assistant Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education⁴. She won the May 2026 Democratic primary runoff over Kathie Tovo³ and faces Green Party candidate Arshia Papari for the open District 49 seat; no Republican is on the ballot³⁵.

Where they stand 12 issues · tap any issue for the evidence

• School choiceNo, keep public money in traditional public schoolsmedium

  Said · medium confidence

  • In her 2026 ATPE survey she said public dollars do not belong in private schools, that she opposes private school vouchers and wants the existing program repealed, and that she does not support expanding charter schools. (2026) source
• Curriculum and booksKeep access broad; removals should be raremedium

  Said · medium confidence

  • Her campaign issues page says to stop book bans and politically motivated censorship of textbooks or curriculum standards. (2026-05) source
  • In her 2026 ATPE survey she said she is strongly concerned about book bans, curriculum censorship and weakened standards on accurate history. (2026) source
• Safety net programsExpand help for childcare, housing and paid family leavemedium

  Said · medium confidence

  • Her campaign issues page calls for expanding Medicaid, making childcare more affordable, and passing paid medical, sick, parental and family leave. (2026-05) source
• Paid leaveCreate a national paid family and medical leave program plus paid sick daysmedium

  Said · medium confidence

  • Her campaign issues page says to pass paid medical, sick, parental, family care and bereavement leave. (2026-05) source
• Housing and growthAllow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downmedium

  Said · medium confidence

  • Her campaign issues page says to increase affordable housing, incentivize missing middle construction, and reduce displacement. (2026-05) source
• Childcare and pre-KOffer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aidmedium

  Said · medium confidence

  • Her campaign issues page says to guarantee universal full-day pre-K and make childcare more affordable while reducing waitlists. (2026-05) source
  • In her 2026 ATPE survey she listed guaranteeing universal, full-day pre-K as a top priority outside school funding. (2026) source
• MarijuanaLegalize and regulate it like alcoholmedium

  Said · medium confidence

  • Her campaign issues page says to legalize, regulate and tax cannabis for adults 21 and older. (2026-05) source
  • In her 2026 ATPE survey she listed legalizing and taxing cannabis as a way to raise revenue for public schools. (2026) source
• GunsAdd universal background checks and red-flag lawsmedium

  Said · medium confidence

  • Her campaign issues page calls for universal background checks, closing gun show and private sale loopholes, and red flag laws. (2026-05) source
• Election rulesEasier access: automatic registration and mail voting for anyonemedium

  Said · medium confidence

  • Her campaign issues page calls for online, same-day and automatic voter registration, an end to voter purges, and fewer barriers to casting a ballot. (2026-05) source
• Policing and crimeFund police and add reforms like body cameras and use-of-force limitsmedium

  Said · medium confidence

  • Her campaign issues page calls for a community-policing model centered on de-escalation, responsible use of force and building community trust, and opposes attempts to mandate cash bail and expand pre-trial detention. (2026-05) source
• AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)low

  Said · low confidence

  • Her campaign issues page says to guarantee reproductive freedom, including access to abortion, family planning and comprehensive care without barriers. (2026-05) source
• Minimum wageNo single answer fitslow

  Said · low confidence

  • Her campaign issues page says to raise the minimum wage and eliminate the subminimum wage for youth or tipped workers. (2026-05) source

No public position found on: Business regulation, Healthcare, Immigration, Energy and climate, Texas power grid, AI data centers, Property taxes, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.