Rachel Hogue, a Republican candidate for Texas State Board of Education District 9, has signed the Texas First Pledge, formally committing to put Texas interests ahead of federal mandates if elected. Hogue, an educator with 14 years of classroom experience, is challenging incumbent Keven Ellis in the 2026 Republican primary.
Educator and Fifth-Generation Texan
Hogue brings deep Texas roots and extensive educational experience to the race. A fifth-generation Texan from Mineola in Wood County, she has been married to her husband Benjamin for six years. Her personal connection to Texas spans generations, giving her a unique perspective on the challenges facing the state’s educational system.
With 14 years in education, Hogue has witnessed firsthand how federal bureaucrats and distant administrators have increasingly interfered with local educational decisions. “I am tired of bureaucrats making educational decisions for our children,” Hogue stated in her campaign announcement. Her classroom experience provides her with practical knowledge of what works for Texas students and what doesn’t.
Hogue describes herself as a Christian, wife, daughter, and educator who believes strongly in returning educational control to parents and local communities. Her campaign focuses on getting back to educational basics and making Texas education the gold standard for the nation.
Challenging the Incumbent in District 9
District 9 represents over 1.7 million residents across 31 counties in East and Northeast Texas, including Wood County where Hogue lives. The district stretches from the Louisiana border to the Dallas metropolitan area, encompassing rural communities, small towns, and suburban areas.
Current board member Keven Ellis has held the seat since 2016 and previously served as chairman of the State Board of Education. Ellis’s current term expires in January 2027, making this seat up for election in 2026. The race represents an opportunity for Texas First principles to gain representation on the influential education board.
The State Board of Education plays a crucial role in setting curriculum standards, approving textbooks, and establishing educational policies that affect millions of Texas students. With federal education mandates increasingly conflicting with Texas values, the board’s composition becomes critical for maintaining state sovereignty over education.
Texas First Pledge Commitments
The Texas First Pledge represents a formal commitment by candidates to prioritize Texas sovereignty and the interests of Texans over federal mandates. By signing this pledge, candidates commit to defending Texas’s right to self-determination and opposing unconstitutional federal overreach.
Signers of the Texas First Pledge commit to putting Texas interests ahead of party politics or federal pressure, defending the Texas Constitution and state sovereignty, supporting legislation that advances Texas independence, voting against federal mandates that violate the 10th Amendment, and standing with Texans who believe in self-determination.
Growing Movement for Educational Freedom
Hogue joins a growing number of Texas First Pledge signers across the state who are running for office in 2026. The Texas Nationalist Movement’s electoral strategy focuses on building a legislative and educational caucus committed to advancing Texas sovereignty and eventually securing a vote on Texas independence.
Her candidacy represents the grassroots nature of the Texas First movement, with educators, parents, and community leaders stepping forward to challenge establishment politicians who have failed to protect Texas interests from federal interference.
Supporting Texas-First Education
Learn more about Hogue’s campaign at hogue4texas.com. Follow her campaign on Facebook. View her complete Texas First Pledge profile at taketexasback.com.
Texans who believe in educational sovereignty and parental rights can support her campaign by volunteering and spreading the word about her commitment to putting Texas students first. With the 2026 primary approaching, grassroots supporters have the opportunity to help build a State Board of Education that truly represents Texas values and interests.
