Democrats won another seat on the State Board of Education, but Republicans still hold nine of the board’s 15 seats. In her fourth bid for a place on the board, Texas State University professor Rebecca Bell-Metereau defeated Lani Popp in District 5, which covers parts of Travis, Hays and Bexar counties. The race was so close, neither candidate got 50-percent.
In another close race, GOP incumbent Tom Maynard beat Marsha Burnett-Webster in District 10, which covers Williamson and Bastrop counties as well as part of Travis County. The board approves the curriculum for public school students statewide.