Garcia: Why the State Board of Education matters

I am running for Texas State Board of Education, District 2. I am asking for your vote in the Democratic primary on March 3rd, 2026.

I am an educator from Pharr, Texas, the city where I was raised by a single mother. The city where I was educated at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD. The city where I returned to teach after graduating from Princeton University. The city where I founded my college access program which has guided thousands of students to and through college. The city where I reside today as an English professor at South Texas College.

And it is from the City of Pharr that I announced my candidacy for Texas State Board of Education, District 2 in the Democratic primary.

I am running for the State Board of Education because I can’t stand aside.

I can’t stand aside as our children continue to fall behind because they can’t read, write, or do basic math.

I can’t stand aside as our teenagers suffer silently through mental health crises unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.

I can’t stand aside as our high school graduates enter the world unprepared for the 21st-century workforce.

I can’t stand aside as our students’ futures are shaped by politicians who have never taught in the classroom.

I can’t stand aside as our parents feel invisible and unheard in the decisions that impact their children’s education.

I can’t stand aside as our teachers are judged by a single high-stakes test instead of how well they prepare our students for the future.

I can’t stand aside as our public schools are weakened by private school vouchers that will leave too many children behind.

I can’t stand aside as our federal government cuts crucial funding and social services for our children, our teenagers, our graduates, our parents, our teachers, and our public schools.

There are moments in our lives when we must decide where we stand. I choose to stand up for our public schools.

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Texas State Board of Education District 2 candidate Thomas Ray Garcia of Pharr, Texas. The column appears in the Rio Grande Guardian with the permission of the author.

Editor’s Note: Here is a video recording of an interview the Rio Grande Guardian secured with Garcia on the day he launched his 2025/2026 election campaign:

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