BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

Old Dominion University, Norfolk, MS, 1998

Voter Guide Profile for TX State Rep., Dist. 101 candidate - Carlos "Charlie" Garza

Carlos (Charlie) Garza earned a Master of Science from Old Dominion University in 1998.

Carlos Garza - Ballotpedia

BIOGRAPHY

WORK & MILITARY

U.S. Navy, Chief, 20.6

Carlos “Charlie” Garza brings decades of experience in education, military service, leadership, and public service to the Texas State Board of Education. A retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and more than 20-year military veteran, Garza has dedicated his career to serving others and developing future generations of Texas. Garza is an experienced educator and education administrator, having served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and education administrator at multiple levels.

Meet the Candidates - Dallas County Republican Party

Carlos (Charlie) Garza served as a chief in the U.S. Navy for 20.6 years. He has worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and education administrator.

Carlos served as a chief in the U.S. Navy for 20.6 years. He has worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and education administrator.

Total Votes Cast 111,643 218,070
Member, State Board of Education, District 1 Multi County
Precincts Reported: 553 of 553 100.00%
Early Voting % Vote Total %
Carlos "Charlie" Garza REP* 60,098 53.83% 111,629 51.19%
Rene Nunez - Incumbent DEM* 51,545 46.17% 106,441 48.81%
Total Votes Cast 111,643 218,070

Texas Secretary of State - Race Summary Report (Unofficial Election Tabulation), 2010 General Election (November 2, 2010)

Garza is an experienced educator and education administrator, having served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and education administrator at multiple levels. His commitment to public education extends to his previous service as an elected member of the Texas State Board of Education, where he represented District 1.

Carlos previously served as an elected member of the Texas State Board of Education, representing District 1. He was elected in 2010.

2026 Texas General Election

Education based research suggests that all schools need to pick up the reform pace and intensify their focus on enabling students to perform at higher levels. As twenty-first generation educators we must rethink how we can educate this generation as many will work in jobs that are yet to be created. Our charter is to provide a “guaranteed and viable curriculum” (Marzano 2003) that teaches our future graduates to be competent innovators, problem solvers and contributing society members.

SBOE Candidate Carlos “Charlie” Garza

Advocates for a guaranteed and viable curriculum that prepares graduates to be innovators, problem solvers, and contributing members of society.

- Advocates for a guaranteed and viable curriculum that prepares graduates to be innovators, problem solvers, and contributing members of society.

School Curriculum

To meet the needs identified by school community stakeholders, we must work collaboratively with the Regional Services Centers/districts, and celebrate accomplishments with the children and the community and we will gradually move community support for education and get the general public involved.

Calls for regional service centers and school districts to collaborate with school communities to meet locally identified needs.

- Calls for regional service centers and school districts to collaborate with school communities to meet locally identified needs.

School Facilities & Resources

I am resolved that all students can learn, given a positive learning atmosphere that welcomes exploration and enhances student confidence. I believe that it is an educator’s mission is to teach. Currently policy demands that teachers dedicated most of thier time to administrative pursuits that do not directly impact academic achievement –that must change! The administrative and operational dimensions are very important, but they are secondary to the task of creating districts where the emphasis is on academic performance.

Calls for reducing administrative demands on teachers that do not directly affect academic achievement.

- Calls for reducing administrative demands on teachers that do not directly affect academic achievement.

Teachers

As of September 11, 2026, Carlos (Charlie) Garza did not have a website or any information online.

Student Wellbeing

Access to Education

LinkedIn

Carlos (Charlie) Garza

2012 EV for Web

Strongly opposes Texas's participation in nationwide Common Core standards for high-school graduation.

As of September 11, 2026, Carlos (Charlie) Garza’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Strongly supports free-market competition for education funding rather than a government monopoly.

EDUCATION

Old Dominion University, Norfolk, MS, 1998

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, BS, 1988

Carlos (Charlie) Garza earned a Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois University in 1988 and a Master of Science from Old Dominion University in 1998.

Opposes Texas participation in nationwide Common Core high-school graduation standards.

Advocates education reforms focused on higher student performance and a curriculum that develops innovators and problem solvers.

Calls for changing policies that require teachers to spend most of their time on administrative work unrelated to academic achievement.

Believes students can learn in positive learning environments that encourage exploration and build confidence.

Supports market competition for education funding rather than a government monopoly.

Education changes lives! I know this first hand as a migrant farm worker of extreme poverty with illiterate first generation Hispanic parents. Texas public schools provided me the requisite skills to pursue doctoral studies at The George Washington University a premier tier I institution. As an educator and leader I serve the children and community.

SBOE Candidate: Carlos "Charlie" Garza

Carlos (Charlie) Garza earned a BS from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and an MS from Old Dominion University. He also pursued doctoral studies at The George Washington University.

SBOE Candidate: Carlos "Charlie" Garza - Texas Freedom Network

Carlos “Charlie” Garza brings decades of experience in education, military service, leadership, and public service to the Texas State Board of Education. A retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and more than 20-year military veteran, Garza has dedicated his career to serving others and developing future generations of Texas.

Meet the Candidates

Garza is an experienced educator and education administrator, having served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and education administrator at multiple levels.

Carlos (Charlie) Garza is a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer who served for more than 20 years. He has worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and education administrator.

On Dec. 12, District 1 incumbent Carlos “Charlie” Garza filed to run for re-election. Garza was first elected to the board when he defeated Democratic incumbent Rene Nuñez in 2010. Garza’s website is carloscharliegarza.com.

His commitment to public education extends to his previous service as an elected member of the Texas State Board of Education, where he represented District 1.

Charlie was first elected to the Texas State Board of Education in 2010, representing District 1.

Opposes Texas's participation in nationwide Common Core standards for high school graduation.

Opposes displaying the Ten Commandments in public school buildings.

Said he would vote for the proposed social-studies curriculum standards.

Supports teaching the U.S. Constitution more than once between grades 2 and 12.

Advocates for a curriculum teachers can reasonably cover within available instructional time.

Advocates replacing folklore taught as fact with material he considers useful.

Calls for reducing teachers' time spent on administrative work that does not directly affect academic achievement.

Supports competition for education dollars rather than a government monopoly.

Supports bilingual programs that help students become proficient in English early.

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- Members of the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) set statewide education policy, including approving graduation requirements, selecting textbooks and instructional materials, overseeing the state’s Permanent School Fund, and approving or vetoing charter school applications. 
- Board members participate in rule-making, review and adopt academic standards, and offer final approval on educator certification and other statewide education regulations. 
- SBOE members are elected from geographically defined “education districts.” Under normal circumstances, they serve staggered four-year terms.
- Serving on the board does not pay a salary, but members may be reimbursed for expenses incurred while doing board business.

Member of the board that governs the state's education system. 