Local Politics · Fort Worth, TX
Texas Gubernatorial Race Puts Education Front and Center Ahead of Nov. 3 Election
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott faces Democrat Gina Hinojosa in the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election, with public education emerging as a central issue among the state's more than 400,000 educators. The race centers on debate over the 2025 education savings account voucher program and state takeovers of the Fort Worth and Lake Worth school districts announced by TEA Commissioner Mike Morath in October 2025. Hinojosa has pledged to end the STAAR test, pause A-F ratings, increase teacher pay, eliminate the voucher program, and reverse state takeovers. Abbott's campaign highlights a $4 billion teacher pay raise package and supports academies within public schools for reading and math. The Legislature passed an $8.5 billion public school finance bill in 2025 that included funding for higher teacher salaries.