Houston Matters Shifting school board politics (Nov. 7, 2025)
Nov 7, 2025
Elizabeth Sander, an education reporter from the Houston Chronicle, dives into the changing landscape of school board politics shaped by COVID-19. She highlights the emergence of conservative activism and the significant role of national PACs in elections. Blake Mudd, an Assistant Professor, discusses how economic studies often overlook the hardships faced by everyday Houstonians, cautioning that lower inflation doesn't equate to lower prices. Finally, Rhett Miller, frontman of The Old 97's, shares his journey through vocal cord surgery and performs tracks from his latest album.
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How Pandemic Fueled School Board Shift
- The conservative school board movement grew sharply during COVID-19 as parents mobilized around virtual schooling and curriculum concerns.
- National PACs and local conservative coalitions funneled money and endorsements to win low-turnout trustee races.
Books And Curriculum Drove Voter Energy
- Library books and book-banning became a central, galvanizing issue for conservative parents.
- Debates over DEI and history instruction also drove activism and trustee campaigns.
Low Turnout Amplified Organized Groups
- Low-turnout school board elections let highly motivated groups exert outsized influence.
- Coalition-building, mailers, and endorsements mattered more than broad community turnout.
