SBOE District 6 Republican Primary Candidates

**SBOE District 6 Race Heats Up: Bell and Reinarz Vie for Open Republican Primary Nomination**

**AUSTIN, TX (January 20, 2026)** – The race for the State Board of Education (SBOE) District 6 seat is intensifying as two Republican hopefuls, Keith Bell and Mary Reinarz, prepare to face off in the upcoming March 2026 primaries. With current representative Will Hickman not seeking re-election, the open seat promises a vigorous contest in this sprawling East Texas district.

District 6 is geographically immense, encompassing parts of Montgomery, Harris, Waller, Grimes, Walker, Trinity, San Jacinto, Polk, Liberty, Hardin, Tyler, Jasper, Newton, Orange, and Jefferson counties. This vast territory presents a unique challenge for candidates aiming to connect with diverse communities across rural and suburban landscapes.

The State Board of Education plays a critical role in Texas public education, setting curriculum standards, approving instructional materials, managing the Permanent School Fund, and overseeing the Texas Education Agency. The individual elected to District 6 will represent hundreds of thousands of students and educators, shaping policies that impact classrooms statewide.

**Keith Bell: Experience from Local Boards**

Keith Bell, an attorney and mediator from Conroe in Montgomery County, is one of the candidates vying for the position. Bell brings extensive experience from his 20 years on the Montgomery ISD board, where he served as president, and a decade on the Montgomery County Appraisal District board.

His campaign platform is strongly centered on what he terms “parental rights,” a cornerstone issue for many conservative voters in recent election cycles. Bell aims to limit the influence of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in schools, arguing it promotes division, and to protect students from what he describes as “inappropriate content” in library collections and curricula.

“Our children’s education should be focused on preparing them for a successful future, not indoctrinating them with divisive ideologies,” Bell stated in a recent campaign release. “As a parent and a longtime school board member, I know the importance of putting parents back in charge of their children’s learning.”

Bell also advocates for a renewed focus on core curriculum subjects such as math, reading, writing, civics, and history, emphasizing foundational knowledge over what he views as extraneous topics. He is a proponent of school choice, a policy that typically supports mechanisms like education savings accounts or vouchers, allowing public funds to follow students to private or charter schools. Fiscal conservatism in education spending is another key tenet of his campaign.

**Mary Reinarz: An Educator’s Perspective**

Challenging Bell is Mary Reinarz, a retired educator from The Woodlands, also in Montgomery County, who spent two decades in the classroom. Reinarz possesses previous governmental experience, having been appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to serve on the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. She has also worked as a consultant for nonprofits and government entities, broadening her administrative and policy background.

Reinarz’s platform echoes similar themes to Bell’s but often with the nuanced perspective of a veteran educator. She, too, prioritizes parental rights and champions transparency in education, seeking to empower families with more insight and control over their children’s schooling.

“Having spent 20 years teaching in our public schools, I understand the challenges and the incredible potential within our education system,” Reinarz commented at a recent campaign event. “My focus will be on ensuring our schools are accountable, transparent, and truly serve the needs of students and parents, without unnecessary burdens or agendas.”

Her campaign stresses fiscal responsibility within school districts and advocates for a return to traditional values in learning, focusing on academic rigor and character development. Reinarz also emphasizes setting high standards for instructional materials and aims to reduce the burden of standardized testing, a concern widely shared by educators and parents who feel it can narrow the curriculum and create undue stress.

**Looking Ahead to the Primaries**

With no incumbent in the race, the March 2026 Republican primary is expected to be a competitive contest. The winner will move on to the general election in November 2026, where they will likely face a Democratic challenger. Given the conservative leaning of District 6, the primary outcome is often a strong indicator of who will ultimately represent the district on the State Board of Education.

Voters across District 6 are encouraged to research both candidates’ platforms and attend local forums or events as the primary season progresses. Important dates for voter registration and early voting will be announced in the coming weeks. For further information, constituents can visit the respective campaign websites of Keith Bell and Mary Reinarz.