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Texas State Board of Education election, 2026 - Ballotpedia

Adam Khan was born in Detroit. He has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Wayne State University, a master's degree in finance, and a PhD in educational leadership from Texas Southern University. He is a husband and ordained minister. 

Adam is a teacher. He also works as a real estate investor, international peace ambassador, and universal peace ambassador.

Adam is a special educator, corporate trainer, and educator consultant. He also owns his own business. Adam previously worked as a high school principal, a Texas history teacher, a special education inclusion and resource teacher, and a coach. 

Adam Khan's campaign for Texas State Board of Education member, District 7, is his first time running for public office.

The 2026 Texas Democratic Primaries: Part Two

Believes in facilitating an inclusive education based on federal and Texas laws, no matter one's personal opinion on them.

Prioritizes offering an alternative to current Holocaust curriculum by including the Bolshevik Revolution, stating an intent to "promote factual historical events, without international agendas, nor religious bias."

Plans to remove "any foreign influence" from student curriculum and ensure there is no religious superiority of one faith over another.

Plans to include education on artificial intelligence as a tool for all students.

Stated, "I can't go rogue and attempt to circumvent the Constitution by way of indoctrination through the curriculum I propose.  The Constitution trumps and this is why we live in a great nation."

- Believes in facilitating an inclusive education based on federal and Texas laws, no matter one's personal opinion on them.
- Prioritizes offering an alternative to current Holocaust curriculum by including the Bolshevik Revolution, stating an intent to "promote factual historical events, without international agendas, nor religious bias."
- Plans to remove "any foreign influence" from student curriculum and ensure there is no religious superiority of one faith over another.
- Plans to include education on artificial intelligence as a tool for all students.
- Stated, "I can't go rogue and attempt to circumvent the Constitution by way of indoctrination through the curriculum I propose.  The Constitution trumps and this is why we live in a great nation."

School Curriculum

Plans to upgrade HR policy by screening the social media of potential employees "for criminal footprints."

Advocates for including security cameras in all classrooms via smart screens that would be accessible to administration and law enforcement only.

Opposes privatization and supports increasing base salaries linked to tax, inflation, and interest rate hikes.

- Plans to upgrade HR policy by screening the social media of potential employees "for criminal footprints."
- Advocates for including security cameras in all classrooms via smart screens that would be accessible to administration and law enforcement only.
- Opposes privatization and supports increasing base salaries linked to tax, inflation, and interest rate hikes.

School Facilities & Resources

Supports "mental health" paid days off for salaried employees.

- Supports "mental health" paid days off for salaried employees.

Teachers

As of January 22, 2026, Adam Khan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Student Wellbeing

Access to Education

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Adam Khan

Rafael Perez

Walter Ley

Ben is from Texas. He is a cat enthusiast.

Opposes right-wing extremism in school curriculum.

- Opposes right-wing extremism in school curriculum.

As of January 22, 2026, Ben Estrada’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ben Estrada

Matthew Tomas

Ballotpedia

Debra Drake Ambroise has an associate's degree in management from Lamar University. 

Debra is retired. She previously worked as a customer service manager at King, Liberty, TCI, and Time Warner Cable Companies. 

Debra Drake Ambroise's campaign for Texas State Board of Education Member, District 7, Democratic Primary is her first entry into politics.

Debra previously served as a Port Arthur Independent School District board member. 

As of January 22, 2026, Debra Drake Ambroise did not have a website or any information online.

Debra Drake Ambroise says experience highlights her PAISD board reelection bid

Values compassion, accountability, and ethics for board members.

- Values compassion, accountability, and ethics for board members.

Debra Drake Ambroise

As of January 22, 2026, Debra Drake Ambroise’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Janell Burse earned an associate's and bachelor's degree in computer science from Tulane University. She is a mother.

Janell has worked at Amazon for the past five years, and has been a Senior Customer Success Manager their for two years. She was a professional athlete in the Woman's National Basketball Association for more than seven years.

As of January 22, 2026, Janell Burse did not have a website or any information online.

Janell Burse

As of January 22, 2026, Janell Burse’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Tiffany Perkinz has a master's degree in English. She is a mother of six.

Tiffany Perkinz (@perkinzwithaz) • Threads, Say more

Tiffany is an educator who currently owns and operates a tutoring and teaching business.

Tiffany Perkinz's campaign for Texas State Board of Education Member, District 7, Democratic Primary is her first entry into politics.

Bay Area New Democrats: Home

Supports students having access to "honest history, inclusive literature, and evidence-based science."

Wants teachers to be able to teach their subjects "without fear of censorship based on political agendas."

- Supports students having access to "honest history, inclusive literature, and evidence-based science."
- Wants teachers to be able to teach their subjects "without fear of censorship based on political agendas."

As of January 22, 2026, Tiffany Perkinz’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes teachers lack support and protection, leading to high attrition rates, and advocates for professional respect, clear standards, and freedom from political censorship in education.

Believes teachers are leaving the profession because they no longer feel "supported or protected."

Supports teachers as content-area experts.

Thinks that across Texas, "political extremism is being used to rewrite curriculum, weaken standards, and intimidate educators."

- Believes teachers are leaving the profession because they no longer feel "supported or protected."
- Supports teachers as content-area experts.
- Thinks that across Texas, "political extremism is being used to rewrite curriculum, weaken standards, and intimidate educators."

- Opposes defunding public schools.
- Against school choice vouchers.

Tiffany Perkinz

- Members of the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) set statewide education policy, including approving graduation requirements, selecting textbooks and instructional materials, overseeing the state’s Permanent School Fund, and approving or vetoing charter school applications. 
- Board members participate in rule-making, review and adopt academic standards, and offer final approval on educator certification and other statewide education regulations. 
- SBOE members are elected from geographically defined “education districts.” Under normal circumstances, they serve staggered four-year terms.
- Serving on the board does not pay a salary, but members may be reimbursed for expenses incurred while doing board business.

Member of the board that governs the state's education system. 

This sample ballot may not include all local party roles or measures on the official ballot. The listed candidates serve only within their party, and the propositions do not change the law.

Texas State Board of Education Member, District 7, Democratic Primary

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School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Teachers

Student Wellbeing

Access to Education