2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

Engineer - 25+ years in the energy industry; active Texas Real Estate Broker
Why did you choose to run for Fort Bend ISD board of trustees? I am a longtime FBISD resident and parent, running to restore excellence to FBISD.

Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees, Position 4

9 candidates file for Fort Bend ISD board of trustees election | Sugar ...

Dan Mathews resides in Fort Bend with his children.

Dan Mathews
Engineer - 25+ years in the energy industry; active Texas Real Estate Broker
Why did you choose to run for Fort Bend ISD board of trustees?

Dan Mathews is an engineer with experience in the energy industry and is an active Texas real estate broker.

Dan is an engineer with experience in the energy industry and is an active Texas real estate broker.

Election 2026 Candidates - Fort Bend County Republican Party

Dan run for Fort Bend Independent School District Trustee, Position 4, is his first run for office.

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fort Bend ISD? My top priority is excellence in every classroom. That means improving academics, supporting and retaining excellent teachers and staff, addressing declining enrollment and facility utilization, strengthening financial stability, establishing measurable long-term goals and accountability, and most importantly, listening to parents, residents and teachers before making important decisions.

Prioritizes improving academics, setting measurable long-term goals, ensuring accountability, and consulting parents, residents, and teachers before major decisions.

- Prioritizes improving academics, setting measurable long-term goals, ensuring accountability, and consulting parents, residents, and teachers before major decisions.

School Curriculum

How should the district prepare to address the stagnating student population? Stagnating enrollment affects funding, staffing and facility utilization. FBISD needs a long-term enrollment and facility plan based on realistic projections.

Wants to develop a long term enrollment and facility plan.

- Wants to develop a long term enrollment and facility plan.

School Facilities & Resources

As of September 29, 2026, Dan Mathews did not have a website or any information online.

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

Access to Education

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Dan Mathews

Buket Urgen

Edward Krutsch

Eric Pursley
Active high school classroom teacher, 10 years experience as practicing attorney
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/share/1MxFXC9HNa/

Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Fort Bend ISD board of trustees Position 4

Eric Pursley currently works as a high school classroom teacher and has 10 years of experience practicing law.

Eric Pursley is running for Fort Bend Independent School District Trustee, Position 4. This is his first run for elected office.

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fort Bend ISD? Pushing back against extremist and ideological pressures from the state government. Curriculum should be effective, factual and allow all of our students to feel equally valued. Students can only learn if they are safe both physically and emotionally at school.

Supports curriculum that is effective, factual, and makes all students feel equally valued.

- Supports curriculum that is effective, factual, and makes all students feel equally valued.

What do you think is the most pressing issue for Fort Bend ISD, and what will you do to address it? We are the most fiscally stressed district in the nation, according to a recent report. First we must audit our technology spending. By cutting back on tablets for the youngest students and subscriptions that are not educationally impactful we can save large amounts.

What do you think is the most pressing issue for Fort Bend ISD, and what will you do to address it? We are the most fiscally stressed district in the nation, according to a recent report. First we must audit our technology spending. By cutting back on tablets for the youngest students and subscriptions that are not educationally impactful we can save large amounts. This also encourages better classroom practices.

Proposes auditing technology spending, reducing tablets for the youngest students, and reducing subscriptions he considers to have little educational impact.

- Proposes auditing technology spending, reducing tablets for the youngest students, and reducing subscriptions he considers to have little educational impact.

As of September 29, 2026, Eric Pursley did not have a website or any information online.

How should the district prepare to address the stagnating student population? By providing the best options for our students' education we can retain students who would otherwise be lost to charters. Smaller class sizes and retaining quality teachers are the highest impact strategies. A more responsive board also prevents losing students to parents unhappy with board decisions.

Prioritizes retaining quality teachers as a high-impact strategy for student retention.

- Prioritizes retaining quality teachers as a high-impact strategy for student retention.

Eric Pursley

- Proposes auditing technology spending, reducing tablets for the youngest students, and reducing subscriptions he considers to have little educational impact.
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Said he was upset by school closures despite massive community backlash.

My family has been in Fort Bend since 2015. I coached my daughter's soccer team last year, and we are the parents at the class parties and the school events.

Rob Dominguez for Fort Bend ISD, Position 4

I have a child in first grade and another starting kindergarten next year, so I am not watching these decisions from a distance. I am raising my kids inside the results.

Rob Dominguez is a parent of two children and coached his daughter's soccer team.

I started out in restaurant operations, long hours and thin margins, where you learn fast that good intentions do not count for much if the numbers do not work. Over time I moved into finance, and eventually into leading a company whose whole job is taking scattered information and turning it into one clear picture people can act on.

Rob Dominguez works in finance and leads a company that turns scattered information into a clear picture people can act on. He previously worked in restaurant operations.

Rob Dominguez works in finance. He previously worked in restaurant operations.

With the expansion of alternatives to public schools, what offerings should Fort Bend prioritize for its students?Fort Bend has to earn each family's choice. Get the fundamentals right first. Strong early reading and core academics. Safe, well-run campuses. Real support for students with different needs. And listen to what our own families actually want. Be genuinely good at what matters, and you do not fear alternatives.

Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Fort Bend ISD board of trustees, Position 4

Prioritizes strong early reading and core academics.

- Prioritizes strong early reading and core academics.

### Honest, forward-looking budgets

Plan for the challenges we can already see coming, instead of patching recurring gaps with one-time money. Families should be able to trust that their schools are on stable ground, not bracing for the next surprise.

What do you think is the most pressing issue for Fort Bend ISD, and what will you do to address it? Declining enrollment is shrinking the budget, and FBISD has met it with one-time money and last-minute decisions. I’ll insist on conservative projections and clear criteria shared with families before voting. Before cutting the classroom, I’ll go through the rest of the budget and separate what’s essential from what's simply habit.

Plans to use forward-looking budgets, reduce reliance on one-time money, and review other spending before classroom cuts.

- Plans to use forward-looking budgets, reduce reliance on one-time money, and review other spending before classroom cuts.

How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?I will build listening in before decisions, not after. Regular chances for parents and staff to be heard, an easy way to submit input that is actually reviewed and the real options put in front of families before a vote. Too often families learn only after it is final.

Plans to give parents and staff regular opportunities to provide input before board votes.

- Plans to give parents and staff regular opportunities to provide input before board votes.

### Keeping families in our schools

Every family that leaves makes the next year harder for the ones who stay. We keep them here by being a district they choose, not one they leave. That means schools worth choosing in every neighborhood, not just some.

Supports making schools worth choosing in every neighborhood to retain families in the district.

Supports providing meaningful support to students with different needs.

- Supports making schools worth choosing in every neighborhood to retain families in the district.
- Supports providing meaningful support to students with different needs.

Rob Dominguez

- Supports providing meaningful support to students with different needs.

LinkedIn

Robert Dombrowski resides in the Fort Bend. Robert earned a Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University and also attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 


Dombrowski’s run for Fort Bend Independent School District Trustee, Position 4, is his first run for elected office.

As of September 29, 2026, Robert Dombrowski did not have a website or any information online.

Robert Dombrowski

As of September 29, 2026, Robert Dombrowski’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Shirisha Mudhireddy
Architect & lead for data, cloud & AI projects, leadership, budget management, problem-solving, mentoring
Why did you choose to run for Fort Bend ISD board of trustees? Running for the Fort Bend ISD board of trustees to bring unwavering transparency, ethical integrity and practical problem-solving to district leadership. Dedicated to making district decisions fully accessible, prioritizing student success through smart planning, and ensuring accountability for parents, teachers and taxpayers.

Board Elections - Fort Bend Independent School District

Shirisha Mudhireddy’s run for Fort Bend Independent School District Trustee, Position 4, is her first run for elected office.

As of September 29, 2026, Shirisha Mudhireddy did not have a website or any information online.

What do you think is the most pressing issue for Fort Bend ISD, and what will you do to address it? The biggest issue is managing tight funds while keeping community trust. To address this, I will: conduct rigorous audits to eliminate waste and redirect dollars into classrooms. Partner openly with families to guide facility decisions collaboratively. Safeguard funding for targeted academic interventions to ensure student success.

How should the district prepare to address the stagnating student population? To address stagnating enrollment, the district should: Program quality & retention: Elevate academic rigor, advanced coursework and CTE pathways. Vibrant ecosystems: Cultivate fine arts, athletics and leadership programs to keep families engaged. Minimizing disruption: Prioritize creative capacity solutions and program expansions over forced boundary changes.

Wants to conduct rigorous audits to eliminate waste and redirect dollars into classrooms. 

Wants to cultivate fine arts, athletics and leadership programs to keep families engaged. 

- Wants to conduct rigorous audits to eliminate waste and redirect dollars into classrooms. 
- Wants to cultivate fine arts, athletics and leadership programs to keep families engaged. 

With the expansion of alternatives to public schools, what offerings should Fort Bend prioritize for its students? Prioritize competitive, high-value pathways that alternative options cannot easily replicate. Tailored special education & learning support: Expand intervention and individualized support. Prioritized campus safety & climate: Implement proactive safety protocols and security. Career-driven industry certifications: Deliver market-ready technical skills and credentials. Rigorous dual-credit partnerships: Provide tuition-free college credits.

Supports implementing proactive campus safety protocols and security measures.

- Supports implementing proactive campus safety protocols and security measures.

What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fort Bend ISD? Equal access to opportunities: Ensuring all campuses have equal resources, technology, CTE pathways and teachers. Closing the achievement gap: Directing resources toward targeted interventions and tutoring. Smart resource allocation: Auditing programs to eliminate waste and reinvest.

Supports equal access across campuses to resources, technology, career and technical education pathways, and teachers.

Wants to focus on targeted interventions and tutoring. 

- Supports equal access across campuses to resources, technology, career and technical education pathways, and teachers.
- Wants to focus on targeted interventions and tutoring. 

Shirisha Mudhireddy

As of September 29, 2026, Shirisha Mudhireddy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Supports equal access across campuses to resources, technology, career and technical education pathways, and teachers.
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She holds a Bachelor of Science from University of Houston, a Master of Education from University of Houston-Victoria, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University. Her motto, “Believe in the Possibilities!” Her purpose in life is to serve and be a blessing to others.

Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam - Fort Bend Independent School District

Shirley was a finalist for FBISD Secondary Teacher of the Year and was the FBISD Secondary Principal of the Year while at Bush HS. She is a member of the Fort Bend Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Science from University of Houston, a Master of Education from University of Houston-Victoria, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University.

Shirley has resided in Fort Bend since November 1986 and both of her children graduated from FBISD schools.

She and her husband Kevin are residents of Missouri City.

She is a 30-year veteran educator with 25 years of service in Fort Bend ISD: Willowridge HS, Kempner HS, Elkins HS, Bush HS, Marshall HS, and McAuliffe MS respectively.

Shirley Rose-Gilliam earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston, a Master of Education from the University of Houston-Victoria, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Texas A&M University. She is a member of the Fort Bend Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She lives with her husband, Kevin, in Missouri City.

She and her husband Kevin are residents of Missouri City.

She is a 30-year veteran educator with 25 years of service in Fort Bend ISD: Willowridge HS, Kempner HS, Elkins HS, Bush HS, Marshall HS, and McAuliffe MS respectively. She continues to serve school districts in the greater Houston area as an educational consultant.

She is a 30-year veteran educator with 25 years of service in Fort Bend ISD: Willowridge HS, Kempner HS, Elkins HS, Bush HS, Marshall HS, and McAuliffe MS respectively. She continues to serve school districts in the greater Houston area as an educational consultant.

Shirley Rose-Gilliam currently serves school districts in the greater Houston area as an educational consultant. She previously worked as an educator in Fort Bend Independent School District, including at Willowridge, Kempner, Elkins, Bush, and Marshall high schools and McAuliffe Middle School.

Term Expires - 2026

Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam was re-elected to Position No. 4 in May of 2023. She has served as Board Vice President. Shirley has resided in Fort Bend since November 1986 and both of her children graduated from FBISD schools.

Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam
Position 4
Shirley.Gilliam@fortbendisd.gov
Term Expires - 2026

Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam was re-elected to Position No. 4 in May of 2023.

Shirley currently serves as a Fort Bend Independent School District trustee in Position 4. She was reelected in May 2023.

She said there’s a systemic issue there. “We need to be able to go in and do research and find out what will work. Because at the same time we have not in the last two, three years, we really haven’t assessed what we’re doing with curriculum.”

Candidates for Fort Bend ISD board make their case

Calls for researching and assessing the district's curriculum to determine what works.

- Calls for researching and assessing the district's curriculum to determine what works.

SRG: As a new board member, I will assess the need for another bond as well as speak with taxpayers, parents, teachers and other staff members. Before answering a yes or no question, I want to review past bonds. Have we completed all construction of facilities from the last bond? Have we evaluated implementation of programs from the last bond? Why or why not? [We need to] perform a needs assessment and present [it] to the FBISD community.

Q&A: Meet Kristin Tassin, Shirley Rose-Gilliam, candidates for Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees Position 4

Plans to assess needs, review previous bonds, and consult district stakeholders before deciding whether another bond is needed.

- Plans to assess needs, review previous bonds, and consult district stakeholders before deciding whether another bond is needed.

SRG: Plan [using] guidance from health officials, provide protocol for campuses [and] meet with campus leaders [to] in turn provide information for staff and keep parents informed. Communication is key and we must keep teachers and parents in the loop. Implement the plan of phase in, as well as practice safety protocols with campus personnel [so that] campus personnel [can] team together to teach students. Be consistent. There are a lot of moving parts. We must be intentional and address concerns immediately. Monitor daily to be sure we are following the plan with fidelity. As we navigate into instruction, minimize cross entity teaching to allow time for transition.

Plans to use guidance from health officials, campus protocols, and phased reopening measures to support safe in-person instruction.

- Plans to use guidance from health officials, campus protocols, and phased reopening measures to support safe in-person instruction.

SRG: [There’s a lack of] honesty and trust; solid instruction in this decade; good first-time teaching; and systems in place to monitor and adjust. Many of these programs we “plug in” to fix a problem, and then later find ourselves explaining why it didn’t work rather than celebrating why it did. One solution [is to] talk to our front line defense—teachers and principals—[and] assess how we do things at the district level and how it actually works on campus. [We need to] take time to hear concerns and research the programs that have proven successful as it pertains to student achievement and growth.

Calls for consulting teachers and principals and researching proven programs to improve student achievement and growth.

- Calls for consulting teachers and principals and researching proven programs to improve student achievement and growth.

SHIRLEY ROSE GILLIAM: This is a very hard question to answer and hard to say “yay” or “nay.” She said she is an educator. “I am very much into diversity, equity and inclusion. So for me, I would have to hear what’s going on. Now when we’re looking at UIL, it’s really not our decision. It is what comes through there and then we have to go through and we have to speak at the state capitol,” a matter that would be more personal.

Supports diversity, equity and inclusion in schools.

- Supports diversity, equity and inclusion in schools.

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Shirley Rose-Gilliam

- 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. 

Texas Trustee, Fort Bend ISD, Position 4

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