Well-known Republican volunteer vying to replace outgoing SBOE Member Terri Leo
Texas Insider Report: HOUSTON Texas I can think of no greater responsibility of the SBOE than to ensure the students of today leave our public education system with a deep sense of the importance and responsibility of being an American citizen" Donna Bahorich a well-known Republican volunteer and former District Director for State Senator Dan Patrick said while announcing her entry into the race for Texas State Board of Education (SBOE).
Bahorich is seeking the Republican nomination in the April 3 2012 Republican Primary Election for the District 6 seat being vacated by long-time Board Member and conservative favorite Terri Leo.
Bahorich said her top three priorities were maintaining the SBOEs oversight of the Permanent School Fund (PSF) supporting Texas law by promoting an emphasis on an abstinence-based approach to sex education in upcoming health textbook adoptions and instilling a sense of pride in American citizenship in students graduating from the public school system.
She emphasized her commitment to promoting American heritage as a key component of the curriculum stating
It was not by accident that America became the most free most prosperous country to ever exist. Without an informed and committed citizenry all else 
we do will ill serve future generations."
As many analysts had expected Republican activists and elected officials including the outgoing incumbent Terri Leo lined up to support Bahorich.
Bahorichs former boss Senator Dan Patrick said of her decision to run
Donna Bahorich has been an integral part of my Senate staff for 5 years serving as my district director. She was key in developing a strong relationship between our office and the education community in our district. She is conservative hardworking and smart. She shares my view that the more open government is and the more informed the public is the better government we will have. She will be an effective leader on the SBOE who will help shape the future of education in Texas. Im proud to endorse Donna and ask my fellow conservatives to join me and vote for Donna Bahorich for the State Board of Education District 6.Other elected officials offering early support of her run include:
- State Representative Dwayne Bohac
- State Representative Allen Fletcher
- State Representative Debbie Riddle
- former Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt and
- retired judge Paul Pressler who has signed on as Campaign Treasurer
(distance learning). Before making a commitment to raising a family she achieved success in business in the telecommunications industry rising through the ranks at Mountain Bell where she was named one of the top 5 managers out of 317 at the company.
She is also the founder of Home Ed Plus now in its 14th year a non-profit organization offering supplemental classes for homeschool families.
Bahorichs Republican credentials include posts as:
- Campaign Manager & District Director to State Senator Patrick
- Primary Director for the 2010 Republican Primary and
- Former president of Daughters of Liberty Republican Womens Club
