Candace Hunter is a third-generation East Austinite. She has advocated for public education, students, teachers, and their families for over 25 years. Much of that work has been in Austin ISD, where she has been privileged to be a student, teacher, instructional coach, administrative intern, tutor, vendor, and parent.

Members | Austin ISD

Candace L. Hunter is from East Austin. She has been a student and parent in Austin Independent School District.

Ms. Hunter is a Field Supervisor and Instructor with the Austin Community College, Teacher Certification Program. Ms. Hunter is excited to continue her advocacy work at the board level to ensure everyone in Austin ISD receives the support they need and deserve.

Candace Hunter works as a field supervisor and instructor with Austin Community College's Teacher Certification Program.

Candace works as a field supervisor and instructor with Austin Community College's Teacher Certification Program.

Candace Hunter was elected to the Austin ISD School Board in November 2022.

What does a school board do? An Austin ISD trustee explains.

Candace was elected to the Austin ISD School Board in November 2022.

What does a school board do? An Austin ISD trustee explains. - Texas Standard

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

As of September 19, 2026, Candace L. Hunter’s website did not contain information on this issue.

School Curriculum

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing Austin ISD right now, and how would you address it?
State intervention. My focus is supporting the administration to appeal or modify any TEA agreement, and if intervention happens anyway, minimizing harm to families and teachers. Destabilization is bad enough—full state takeover would be far worse for our system.

Q&A: Meet the candidates for Austin ISD District 1 ahead of Nov. 3 election

How would you support students, families and staff amid ongoing budget constraints?
I think the biggest thing we have to do is improve our communication. The budget is not going to suddenly get better. Helping our families understand what’s most essential and partnering with them to decide what we continue and discontinue is most important.

When discussing how the district decided to make changes at campuses, some board members asked the district to cut more from central office. Trustee Candace Hunter agreed with community members who say the cuts are being felt more deeply at the campus levels.

“When weighted it is heavier on the campus than anywhere else, the campus is carrying the brunt,” Hunter said. “And we said we weren't gonna do that. So not sure why we're doing that or how we can correct that.”

Austin ISD teachers and parents protest millions in cuts | KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station

Calls for the administration to appeal or modify any Texas Education Agency agreement and minimize harm to families and teachers if state intervention occurs.

Calls for clearer budget communication and family participation in deciding which district services should continue or be discontinued.

Said district budget reductions weigh more heavily on campuses and questioned how to correct that.

- Calls for the administration to appeal or modify any Texas Education Agency agreement and minimize harm to families and teachers if state intervention occurs.
- Calls for clearer budget communication and family participation in deciding which district services should continue or be discontinued.
- Said district budget reductions weigh more heavily on campuses and questioned how to correct that.

School Facilities & Resources

Student Wellbeing

What would your top priorities be if elected?
Right now, it’s to prevent or reduce state intervention. That’s priority 1A. Priority 2 is to build on the support of teachers, families and students.

Prioritizes building support for teachers, families, and students.

- Prioritizes building support for teachers, families, and students.

Teachers

Access to Education

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Candace L. Hunter

Candace Hunter, District 1

Term Expires: November 2026

Candace Hunter is a third-generation East Austinite. She has advocated for public education, students, teachers, and their families for over 25 years. Much of that work has been in Austin ISD, where she has been privileged to be a student, teacher, instructional coach, administrative intern, tutor, vendor, and parent.

Candace L. Hunter is a field supervisor and instructor with Austin Community College's Teacher Certification Program.

More info: Voters also elected four former new members of the Board of Trustees and re-elected one incumbent.

David Kauffman, Andrew Gonzales, Candace Hunter and Kathryn Whitley Chu will join the board in December, and current Board Secretary Arati Singh will return as the at-large Position 9 trustee.

Voters pass $2.44 billion bond, elect new trustees | Austin ISD

Austin ISD Board of Trustees

Candace Hunter, District 1

Term Expires: November 2026
4000 S. I-H 35 Frontage Rd.
Austin, TX 78704

Candace currently serves as a Trustee for Austin Independent School District’s District 1. She was elected in 2022.

Proposes improving budget communication and involving families in decisions about which district services to continue or discontinue.

Advocates for reducing state intervention and minimizing its harm to teachers and families.

Mauricio Mendez

Alejandra Gracias

Cheryl Bradley

- A trustee is an elected member of a local school board who helps govern a public school district.

- Trustees represent community interests and are responsible for setting policies that guide how the school district operates.

- The board of trustees hires and evaluates the superintendent, who manages the day-to-day operations of the district.

- Trustees approve the district’s budget, monitor spending, and may set the local tax rate or call for bond elections to fund schools.

- The board also oversees educational programs, district goals, and overall performance.

- In Texas, trustees are elected to four-year terms, often on a rotating basis, so not all seats are elected at the same time.

- Trustees serve without financial compensation.

An official who sets policy for a local school district. 