Candidates Face Off for Harris County Education Board Seat

September 28, 2026 - 20:07

Voters in Harris County will decide the future of the Place 7 at-large seat on the Harris County Department of Education board of trustees this November. Democratic incumbent Silky Joshi-Malik is seeking another term, while Republican challenger Denise Dick hopes to unseat her in the general election scheduled for Nov. 3.

The Harris County Department of Education operates separately from local school districts. It provides specialized services that individual districts often cannot offer on their own, including special education support, professional development for teachers, and adult education programs. The board of trustees oversees these operations and sets policy for the department.

Joshi-Malik has held the Place 7 position and points to her experience guiding the department through recent challenges. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining robust support systems for students with special needs and ensuring teachers receive quality training resources.

Dick enters the race with a focus on fiscal responsibility and transparency. She argues that taxpayers deserve clearer insight into how the department allocates its budget and wants to prioritize programs that deliver measurable results for students and families across the county.

The at-large seat means voters throughout Harris County can cast ballots in this race, regardless of which school district they live in. Both candidates have stressed the role the department plays in filling gaps that traditional districts cannot address alone.

Early voting begins in October. Election day is Nov. 3.