State and Legislative Updates from SEF’s Government Affairs Team

The weeks of 10/26 – 11/6

Greetings all,

It has been a seismic week for the nation, with midterm election results reshaping the political landscape at both the federal and state levels. In this edition, we provide a recap of the election results and explore what they could mean for education, particularly across the region, as well as broader implications at the federal level. Read our summary below.

The New State of the SEF South 

It’s no secret. It was a historically successful night for Democrats! Georgia decisively elected Keisha Lance Bottoms as the nation’s first Black woman governor, while Texas voters elected Gina Hinojosa to the state’s top position as governor. Hinojosa will be the Lone Star State’s first Latina governor and the first Democrat to win the office in more than 30 years. She is already conducting interviews to appoint a replacement for State Education Commissioner Mike Morath.

Democrats also won control of the North Carolina and Texas state Houses and are projected to win control of the Georgia state House. These changes would create divided state governments in Georgia and Texas while North Carolina’s Senate is projected to remain under Republican control. In Georgia, Dr. Lydia Powell won the state superintendent of education position by 10 points, ousting the state’s most-elected Republican, Richard Woods.

Despite these gains, Republicans are projected to win or retain control of 10 of the South’s 17 governorships, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. State legislative control also remains largely Republican across the region, with GOP majorities and trifectas projected in most state houses and state senates. Republican candidates won two of the three state superintendent races in the southern region, in Oklahoma and South Carolina.

Democrats, however, are projected to hold the governorships in Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. They are also expected to retain legislative control in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. North Carolina, Democrats will control the state House while Republicans are projected to lead the state Senate.

2026 Southern Gubernatorial Winners: Tommy Tuberville (AL-R)*, Sarah Huckabee Sanders (AR-R), Byron Donalds (FL-R)*, Mike Mazzei (OK-R)*, Alan Wilson (SC-R)*, Marsha Blackburn (TN-R)*, Keisha Lance Bottoms (GA-D)*, Wes Moore (MD-D), and Gina Hinojosa (TX-D)*

*Newly elected

Federal Election Results

Democratic dominance extended to the federal races, with early election night results indicating Democrats would control both the U.S. House and Senate. The Democratic Party won its largest majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in nearly two decades. Led by wins in Georgia and Texas, Jon Ossoff easily won his U.S. Senate seat, shepherding historic Democratic gains down the ballot. James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton to win a U.S. Senate seat, becoming the first Democrat to hold the seat since 1988. Roy Cooper, the popular former governor of North Carolina, decisively won his U.S. Senate race. To the surprise of many, Dr. Annie Andrews defeated Darlene Graham for South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat. In Mississippi, Scott Colom currently leads Cindy Hyde-Smith by the slimmest of margins. The race is yet to be called, but if elected, Colom would be the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate in Mississippi in nearly 40 years and become the first Black Senator since the Reconstruction Era.

Democrats do not hold a filibuster-proof majority of 60 votes, so they will need to work with Republicans to make substantive progress on legislation. The House Education Committee leadership contest will also be worth watching, as U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes has formally placed a bid challenging U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott’s long-standing leadership. U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici is also challenging Rep. Scott as chair of the education committee.

As stated in the prior state overview above, Republicans still hold the majority of federally elected legislative positions in the Southern states SEF serves. They will likely have 22 of the 34 U.S. Senate seats representing southern states. Republicans won eight of the 15 2026 U.S. Senate races.

2026 Southern U.S. Senate Winners: Barry Moore (AL-R)*, Tom Cotton (AR-R), Ashley Moody (FL-R), Andy Barr (KY-R)*,  Julia Letlow (LA-R-Likely Winner)*,  Senator, Kevin Hern (OK-R)*, Bill Hagerty (TN-R), Shelley Moore Capito (WV-R), Chris Coons (DE-D), Jon Ossoff (GA-D), Scott Colom (MS-D-Likely)*, Roy Cooper (NC-D)*,  Annie Andrews (SC-D)*, James Talarico (TX-D)*, and Mark Warner (VA-D)

*Indicates newly elected

State Updates

Alabama

  • State’s child care subsidy answers are ‘inadequate’ – U.S. Sen. Katie Britt said she is “disappointed” that the Alabama Department of Human Resources changed eligibility for child care subsidies, with income limits for a family of four dropping by $9,648 a year (WBRC News) Read More
  • State public school spending lost ground to inflation, new data show – Newly released state spending records show schools spent an average of $13,629 per K-12 student during the 2024-25 school year, about $130 more than the previous year. After accounting for inflation, however, spending actually fell by about $102 per student. (Alabama Daily News) Read More
  • School counseling becomes issue in state school board races – Two Republican nominees for State Board of Education called for changes to the state’s school counseling program. (Alabama Reflector) Read More
  • Alabama voters approve school amendments on pledge, prayer and national anthem – Voters approved four constitutional amendments changing lieutenant governor vacancies, allowing county school mergers and establishing new public school requirements. (Alabama Political Reporter) Read More

Arkansas

  • Opinion: Dream big for Arkansas kids – As our public schools struggle to continue to pay for their fixed costs and school faculty and staff are increasingly reporting serving higher-need children, we must advocate that our legislators think big–our kids’ futures depend on it. (Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette- Subscription Required) Read More

Georgia

  • State gets $10 million to boost teacher hiring efforts – The Georgia Department of Education announced it received two big federal grants to expand teacher apprenticeships statewide. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Read More

Kentucky

  • Chamber, Thrive by 5 Louisville launch statewide initiative to help employers address child care challenges – The Kentucky Chamber and Thrive by 5 Louisville launched Kentucky Employers Leading on Child Care, a statewide initiative to help businesses invest in child care solutions that support their workforce. (Kentucky Chamber Bottom Line) Read More
  • Three-Fourths of Kentucky School Districts Are Receiving Less in State SEEK Payments This Year – School districts across Kentucky face challenges in the 2026-2027 year, and falling state funding is a primary reason why. Three-fourths of school districts expect to receive less from the state to support the core funding formula in the 2026-2027 school year than they received last year. (Kentucky Center for Economic Policy) Read More

Mississippi

  • Mississippi has 23 public colleges and universities. Can the state sustain them? – When Rep. Trey Lamar, a Republican from Senatobia, introduced House Bill 1284 in January to merge six community college districts, college leaders and students quickly launched a petition to shut it down. The bill died in committee, but the question behind it did not: Does Mississippi still need 23 public colleges and universities? (Mississippi Today) Read More
  • Enrollment at Mississippi’s public universities declined slightly between 2025 and 2026 school years – With the dwindling number of births and fewer students entering Mississippi’s universities, warnings of an enrollment cliff in the higher education sector have been voiced to educators and lawmakers for the past several years. (Magnolia Tribune) Read More
  • Rural communities push back on school consolidation efforts – Lawmakers believe consolidation can boost academic performance in long-struggling districts. Rural communities believe they can exacerbate inequity. (The 74) Read More

North Carolina

  • What the midterms mean for higher ed in North Carolina – Legislative victories across North Carolina and the country have given Democrats new leverage over higher education, but it’s not yet clear what they can do with it. (The Assembly) Read More
  • Will Democratic victories reshape school choice in NC? – After Democrats won control of the state House and narrowed the Republican majority in the state Senate, the voucher program faces its first legislative session with a Democratic chamber since lawmakers created it in 2013. (Carolina Journal) Read More

Oklahoma

  • Where Oklahoma’s governor candidates stand on higher education – With the election for Oklahoma’s new governor approaching, Oklahomans are wondering how the gubernatorial candidates plan to improve education in the state. (OU Daily) Read More

South Carolina

  • How teachers can get up to $27,500 in student loan forgiveness – With teacher pay generally considered low and turnover in the profession relatively high, state lawmakers created a program to provide financial incentives to keep teachers in public education. (The State – Subscription Required)  Read More

Tennessee

  • State senator calls for more public schools funding as state ranks last in per-pupil funding – A state senator is calling for more funding for low-income students, school buildings, students with the most significant learning needs, and more. (WKRN News) Read More

Texas

  • Anger over GOP education agenda helped fuel Democratic sweeps in Texas, advocates say – Before they flipped Texas blue, Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico made names for themselves fighting book bans, private school vouchers and restrictions on classroom instruction. (NBC News) Read More
  • In the wake of vouchers, Democrats with public education backgrounds won up and down the ballot – Two years since Republican Gov. Greg Abbott advanced a landmark $1 billion private school voucher program, Texas Democrats have elected an entire slate of candidates with backgrounds in public education. (Houston Public Media) Read More
  • Governor-Elect Gina Hinojosa begins transition, moves to replace Abbott’s education chief – Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa is moving quickly, announcing Thursday that she is already interviewing candidates to replace Education Commissioner Mike Morath while tapping a former Republican lawmaker who opposed school choice to help lead her transition. (Texas Scorecard) Read More
  • Dems celebrate flipping State Board of Education, brace for potential recount – Republicans’ unrestrained dominance over what Texas students learn in the classroom may likely end next year as five new Democrats appear to have won State Board of Education seats. (The Texas Tribune) Read More

Virginia 

  • Governor pledges overhaul of outdated K-12 school funding formula – Gov. Spanberger said that she is committed to adjusting the state’s K-12 funding formula, after a state research group found it needs substantial changes and advanced a plan to hire an expert tasked with studying a new funding mechanism for up to 24 months. (Virginia Mercury) Read More
  • State voters split on 1% sales tax for school construction – On Election Day, out of 47 Virginia localities, about 30% authorized their governments to collect a 1% sales tax to address rising school construction costs, while about 70% did not.  (News from the States) Read More

West Virginia

  • During wave of closures, Morrisey says school funding issue will ‘dominate’ 2027 legislative session – While communities across West Virginia face losing their public schools, Gov. Patrick Morrisey stressed that addressing public school funding issues will be front and center in the next legislative session.  (West Virginia Watch) Read More
  • State officials ask the Supreme Court for more time on school funding lawsuit, cite upcoming session – State officials are asking the state Supreme Court to wait until next spring to consider a lawsuit alleging inadequate public school funding. The time gap could give the state Legislature time to rework the state’s school funding formula, which is the crux of the lawsuit. (West Virginia Watch) Read More

National/Federal Updates

Early Childhood Education News and Resources

  • Zoning in on the pre-K to kindergarten handoff  – School districts often treat kindergarten as the education starting point. But they can better support young students and strengthen family relationships by building connections with early childhood programs and community partners before students reach kindergarten. (K-12 Dive) Read More
  • Child care affordability and the 2026 Midterms – Across the country, voters are sending the same message: Child care is a major part of the affordability crisis, and policymakers have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference for working families. (First Five Years Fund) Read More

K-12 Education News and Resources

  • A new era in education politics? – Democrats’ far-reaching victories have the potential to reshape American schools and politics. (Chalkbeat) Read More
  • Democrats sweep in blue tsunami. What does it mean for education? – Democrats swept key midterm races across the country, potentially setting the stage for a harder line against President Donald Trump’s education agenda in Congress and more voucher oversight in the states. (Chalkbeat) Read More
  • Filling In the Gaps: Tracking the 50+ School Desegregation Cases DOJ Says It Is Ending – On September 24, 2026, DOJ’s Civil Rights Division announced “the dismissal” of more than 50 school desegregation cases. But it did not show its work. To fill that gap, Red Line for Civil Rights is building its own list from public court records. (Red Line for Civil Rights) Read More
  • DOJ lands desegregation order dismissals even where segregation remains – The U.S. Department of Justice announced last month the end to desegregation orders affecting dozens of mostly Southern school districts — including many in areas that have seen increasing segregation in recent years or are more racially segregated now than they were in the 1990s, according to a K-12 Dive analysis.  (K-12 Dive) Read More
  • Funding for fairness: Revenue inequities for states’ highest-need districts – Districts serving mostly students from low-income backgrounds, students of color, and English learners are still not getting their fair share compared to other districts. (Education Trust) Read More
  • More public schools are closing. Will the midterms speed or slow the process? – Public school closures are accelerating across the country, and voters in several states have a chance to speed up or slow down the process. (KARK News) Read More
  • Evidence into action: A public education system where every child can learn and thrive – Tomorrow morning, 50 million children will walk through the doors of America’s public schools again. They deserve a nation that treats their success and well-being as a shared responsibility and a public education system that is strong enough to make that commitment real for every child. (Learning Policy Institute) Read More
  • Democrats vie to take back House Education Committee – Democrats have long been up in arms about President Trump’s attempt to dismantle the Education Department, and now, as voters head to the polls, legislators are hopeful that they’ll be able to turn their months of messaging into action. (Inside Higher Ed)  Read More
  • From Data to Action: A Practical Approach to Continuous Improvement – In From Data to Action, TNTP shares a practical path forward, helping leaders transform information into insight, insight into action, and action into better opportunities and outcomes for young people. (The New Teacher Project) Read More
  • What’s Driving the ‘Southern Surge?’ Report Examines Reading Gains in Alabama – As many districts still struggle to help their students regain academic progress lost during the pandemic, a handful of states have stood out for bucking the trend in reading and math achievement. (Education Week) Read More
  • A Public School District Wants to Maximize Federal Choice Funds. Here’s How – The first national school choice program starts next year, and some public schools are laying the groundwork to benefit from it. (Education Week) Read More

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, and if we can assist with any government affairs or advocacy issues moving forward.

Sincerely,

Fred Jones, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy,

fjones@southerneducation.org  

Darian Burns, Legislative and Public Policy Analyst,

dburns@southerneducation.org  

Allison Boyle, Research and Policy Specialist,

aboyle@southerneducation.org