Who is running for State Board of Education, District 8 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for State Board of Education, District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in State Board of Education District 8.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Audrey G. YoungRepublican | Dana Van De WalkerDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and books | No single answer fits; see evidence | Teachers and librarians, as trained professionalsQuestionnaire answer · medium |
| Religion in schools | No public position | Protect students' own prayer and clubs, but no school-sponsored religionQuestionnaire answer · medium |
Audrey G. Young
Republican · IncumbentMember, State Board of Education, District 8
Audrey G. Young is a Republican who has represented District 8 on the State Board of Education since January 2021 and chairs its Committee on Instruction2. She has worked more than 30 years in public schools as a speech therapist, reading specialist, administrator and special education director, and served six years on the Apple Springs ISD board23. Her official biography lists a 2025 Charter Champion Award among her honors2.
Where they stand 2 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
School choiceNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- In a November 2022 preliminary vote, voted against adding opposition to all private school vouchers to the board's legislative priorities; it passed 8 to 3. (2022-11-16) source
- Explained that the board should instead ask the Legislature to review the public education budget, and questioned a state voucher-style special education program for diverting public school money. (2022-11-16) source
- Two days later voted for the final board recommendation urging the Legislature to reject vouchers in all forms; it passed 11 to 2. (2022-11-18) source
- In February 2023 the board voted 8 to 5 along party lines to drop its opposition to vouchers and take no official position; ATPE reported that only one Republican member was absent and the chair did not vote, which places her with the Republican majority. (2023-02-02) source
Curriculum and booksNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign says she joined other Republican board members to reject science and health standards and textbooks that it says sought liberal indoctrination of students. (2026) source
- Her campaign says her six years as a local school trustee gave her a deep appreciation for local control of Texas public schools. (2026) source
No public position found on: Religion in schools, DEI programs.
Dana Van De Walker
DemocratPrivate citizen (Lone Star College administrator)
Dana Van De Walker is a Democrat from Conroe with a doctorate in higher education leadership from Sam Houston State University2. She has worked in education for nearly 20 years, including teaching in South Korea, and now oversees a student program at Lone Star College2.
Where they stand 3 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Religion in schoolsProtect students' own prayer and clubs, but no school-sponsored religionmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- Told ATPE that religion has no place in public schools and she would fight to remove the Ten Commandments and religiously influenced curriculum, while advocating for students' right to practice their own religion. (2026) source
Curriculum and booksTeachers and librarians, as trained professionalsmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- Told ATPE that teachers should be at the center of developing curriculum standards and approving instructional materials, and that she is fiercely opposed to book bans. (2026) source
- Told ATPE she distinguishes parental engagement, which she supports, from parental rights laws, which she says are often used against students. (2026) source
School choiceNo single answer fitsmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- Told ATPE that charter school expansion should be limited because charters have been held to lower accountability standards, but charters should remain an option for specialized programs such as language immersion. (2026) source
No public position found on: DEI programs.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.