Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Aaron Kinsey (R–Midland) chair of the State Board of Education (SBOE) Monday in a term set to expire Dec. 17, 2025.

Kinsey replaces Dr. Keven Ellis (R–Lufkin), who will continue to serve on the SBOE. Ellis has previously been endorsed by the pro-public education group Texas Parent PAC. In contrast, Kinsey was elected in November 2022 with support from the Freedom Foundation of Texas (FFOT) PAC, funded by staunch proponents of private school vouchers and expansion of charter schools.

Kinsey, an Air Force veteran, is the CEO of an aviation oilfield services company. He is a member of the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation Committee on School Finance/Permanent School Fund and chair of the Committee on Strategic Planning and Policy. In addition, Kinsey is also a member of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) Liberty Leadership Council. TPPF is a far-right think tank backing private school voucher initiatives.