Controversy Surrounds Texas School Board Elections as Candidates Advocate Far-Right Policies
In the ongoing Texas school board elections, candidates with ties to far-right groups are drawing attention for advocating policies such as book bans and discrimination against LGBTQ students. Such issues have transformed school boards from routine administrative bodies into battlegrounds for contentious social debates.
Moms for Liberty, a far-right advocacy group, has actively worked to place its members on school boards nationwide. The Southern Poverty Law Center labeled the organization a hate group in June 2023.
Michael Bergsma, a supporter of Moms for Liberty, is competing for an at-large seat in the Corpus Christi Independent School District. His campaign materials highlight his past roles as treasurer of Bible in the Public Schools and chairman of the Nueces County Republican Party. Bergsma’s social media history includes numerous derogatory posts about LGBTQ individuals over the past decade. Notably, in April 2013, he shared a news story about a gay couple accused of child abuse, commenting, “This is the future.” Furthermore, in July 2023, he criticized former President Barack Obama for opposing bans on LGBTQ-themed books in schools, calling it “disgusting.” Bergsma did not respond to inquiries for this article.
Another candidate, Samuel Fryer, shares similar views. Fryer also seeks an at-large position with the Corpus Christi Independent School District and is linked with Citizens Defending Freedom, a group advocating for LGBTQ book bans. In July 2022, when local teachers protested against the group, Fryer attempted to dissuade them by quoting religious texts.
In Leander Independent School District, Gerald Prater has taken a more direct stance in his rhetoric. During a district meeting in June 2023, Prater criticized LGBTQ content in schools as “criminal.” He stated, “I think you’re causing harm to my children and other children with some of the stuff you’re exposing them to.” Moms for Liberty has endorsed Prater’s campaign.
Brandi Burkman, also campaigning for a position with Leander ISD, has voiced her concerns about “obscene book selections” in district meetings. A 2023 interview with a local high school newspaper revealed that she withdrew her daughter from middle school due to a lesson referencing Black Lives Matter. Burkman has previously propagated a hoax about schools accommodating students identifying as animals. Endorsed by Moms for America, Burkman did not comment on this narrative.
Jim Sneeringer, another candidate for Leander ISD, has spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election, asserting it was stolen from Donald Trump.
In Brownsville, Minerva Peña is running to reclaim her former seat on the Independent School District board. Peña, similar to Bergsma, has shared her political beliefs on social media. In June 2023, she criticized a White House gay pride event on Facebook, stating, “Please forgive me but, this does not belong at the White House.” Further posts in 2024 expressed her support for prayer and Bible readings in public schools.
