Texas Governor-Elect Gina Hinojosa Vows to Fire TEA Chief Mike Morath

Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa announced plans to immediately remove Mike Morath as commissioner of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) following her historic victory on November 3. Her administration seeks to overhaul the state’s public education system, aiming to reverse policies she calls damaging and restore trust in Texas schools.

Hinojosa’s Commitment to Change Texas Education

In her victory speech on November 3, Hinojosa declared, “On day one, I will fire Mike Morath, and we will work tirelessly to repair the damage of the Texas vouchers scam and end an era in which our schools are sold for parts.” The 52-year-old attorney and state lawmaker is part of a new wave of Democrats focused on attracting independents and voters concerned about national and economic issues.

At her first press conference as governor-elect on November 5, she confirmed that her team is “actively interviewing people” to replace Morath. The transition is underway as she prepares to take office on January 19.

Mike Morath’s Tenure and Impact on Texas Schools

Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2016, Morath has led the TEA for over a decade. The agency oversees 1,207 school districts and more than 9,000 schools across Texas. Morath’s term officially expires on January 10, just nine days before Hinojosa’s inauguration.

During his time, Morath pushed significant education reforms, including revamping the state’s A-F school accountability system and managing state takeovers of large districts like Houston ISD and Fort Worth ISD. Despite the pending change in leadership, a TEA spokesperson told KPRC Houston that Morath is committed to “ensuring a smooth and successful transition for the incoming education commissioner.” The TEA has not responded to further requests for comment.

Democrats Poised to Gain Control of Texas State Board of Education

Alongside the commissioner change, Democrats are on track to control the Texas State Board of Education for the first time in decades. Unofficial results show Democrats winning seven of the 15 board seats, up from four previously. The board currently stands evenly split 7-7, with one decisive race still too close to call.

The critical contest is in District 8, where Democrat Dana Van De Walker leads Republican incumbent Audrey Young by 564 votes as of November 6. This seat will determine which party holds the majority.

The Texas State Board of Education collaborates with the TEA commissioner to set curriculum standards, adopt teaching materials, and establish graduation requirements for K-12 public schools statewide. A shift in the board’s majority could signal broad changes in Texas education policy.

Governor-elect Hinojosa’s plans to replace the TEA commissioner and the Democrats’ increasing presence on the education board mark a significant turning point for Texas public education. As the new administration prepares to take office in January, statewide education policies are expected to undergo substantial changes aimed at improving schools for millions of Texas students.