Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told a group of school leaders on Wednesday he was committed to “... ensuring a smooth and successful transition for the incoming education commissioner.” This comes after Texas Governor-Elect Gina Hinojosa vowed, in her victory speech Tuesday night, to fire Morath on her first day in office.
She went one step further Thursday. During her press conference to announce members of her transition team, Hinojosa said they are actively interviewing for his replacement.
KPRC asked the Texas Education Agency (TEA) about an X post that claimed Morath delivered a “farewell speech” to a group of superintendents this week. The agency said Morath was already scheduled to visit students and teachers at Troy Independent School District in Central Texas, and then meet with a group of superintendents at the Region 12 Education Service Center.
A TEA spokesperson said as a part of Morath’s remarks, he also “expressed his appreciation for the educational leaders in the room and a commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful transition for the incoming education commissioner.” The agency said Morath was present for the entire session, and delivered introductory and closing remarks.
Morath was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to lead the agency in 2016, and has overseen the TEA during the revamp of the A-F accountability system and state interventions for large school districts, like Houston Independent School District and Fort Worth Independent School District.
Hinojosa has been critical of the TEA, and in her campaign, Hinojosa promised to return school districts under state intervention “back to their communities” and to appoint an educator to lead the agency.
Morath’s term is set to expire on January 10 and Hinojosa is set to be inaugurated on Jan. 19. As governor, Hinojosa will have the power to appoint a new education commissioner when Morath’s term expires. Texas law requires the governor to get Senate approval if the office wants to remove a sitting commissioner before their appointment expires. Texas Senate republicans held on to their majority during the 2026 midterms.
