Texas HD 89: Democrat Angie Carraway Challenges GOP Incumbent Candy Noble on Schools

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

FAIRVIEW — “What is adultery?”

Angie Carraway told a Fairview audience that a student asked her that question after the Ten Commandments were posted in her classroom. In a written follow-up, she explained that the student had confused “amendment” with “commandment” and gone to the wrong poster.

“We are trained, trained, trained, and not once have I been trained to teach religion,” she told supporters.

Carraway, the Democratic nominee for Texas House District 89, discussed her teaching experience, criticized Republican Rep. Candy Noble’s education policies and described her campaign’s outreach during an event organized by congressional candidate Evan Hunt.

In written responses provided by her campaign afterward, she explained the classroom incident and what she would propose if elected.

Questions About the Display

Carraway identified herself as a middle school social studies teacher who teaches government, history and world geography.

“I am a Christian,” she told the audience. “I believe that faith is very personal and should be taught at home, not in my classroom.”

Carraway said in her follow-up response that she referred the student’s question about adultery to the student’s parents.

“It isn’t part of my curriculum, and it isn’t my place to answer it,” she said.

“We received no guidance. The posters went up with no plan for what happens when students ask about them, and students will always ask.”

Noble was the primary House sponsor of Senate Bill 10, which requires Ten Commandments displays in public-school classrooms. The law specifies the displays’ wording, size and placement but does not establish a religious curriculum or require teachers to explain the commandments.

The Fifth Circuit upheld the law in April. Families challenging it requested U.S. Supreme Court review in August.

Carraway supports repealing the requirement.

“I have my own faith, and I respect the faith of my students and their families,” she said. “That is exactly why those conversations belong at home, not in a state mandate.”

Classroom Experience

At the event, Carraway described herself as a fifth-generation Hispanic Texan and longtime Collin County resident. She said she and her husband raised four children in the area, two graduated from Lovejoy, and she taught there for 10 years.

“I am tired of legislators making decisions about my classroom that have never stepped foot in one,” she told supporters.

Noble’s official biography lists an education degree from Hardin-Simmons University; it does not identify classroom teaching experience.

In her follow-up answers, Carraway said she is in her 15th year teaching public school. She explained that her decision to run developed over years, rather than from one bill or classroom incident.

“I see students who need extra help. I see teachers trying to meet every need, and I see schools asked to do more each year without the resources to do it,” she said.

“I kept thinking somebody ought to do something. Eventually I realized that somebody could be me.”

Vouchers and School Funding

Carraway also criticized Noble’s support for vouchers. Noble was a cosponsor of Senate Bill 2, which established the education savings account program. The state describes it as giving parents greater freedom to choose an educational setting for their children.

Carraway said “public dollars belong in public schools.” She supports ending the voucher program and substantially increasing the basic allotment, tied to inflation.

In her written answers, she cited the Legislature’s $55 basic-allotment increase in 2025 alongside $1 billion for vouchers.

TEA confirms that the allotment rose from $6,160 to $6,215 per student in average daily attendance. The voucher program’s $1 billion spending cap covers the 2026–27 fiscal biennium.

The $55 figure does not represent the entire public-school funding increase. Legislators also approved $8.5 billion to implement House Bill 2, including teacher pay and school safety funding. The law provides future basic-allotment adjustments linked to its funding formula and property-value growth.

“Teachers always find a way to make it work,” Carraway said. “We shouldn’t build a system that depends on them making up for what the state won’t provide.”

Campaign Outreach and Affordability

Carraway reported in Fairview that her campaign had visited more than 15,000 homes. Asked afterward what concern she hears most often beyond education, she answered: “Affordability, without question.”

She cited property taxes, homeowners insurance, groceries and electricity.

“We keep hearing how strong the Texas economy is. Families are right to ask when they’ll feel it,” she said.

Carraway supports returning some state reserves to households, citing Gina Hinojosa’s proposal. She also said she would pursue action on insurance and utility costs. Her written responses did not identify specific insurance or utility proposals.

On working with lawmakers who support vouchers and the religious-display requirement, she said she would start with teacher pay, school safety and property taxes.

“I won’t trade away my values, but I won’t refuse to work with someone because we disagree on one issue,” she said.

Editor’s note: TX3DNews asked Rep. Candy Noble to respond to Carraway’s comments and proposals. This article will be updated if a response is received.