Candace Hunter

Candace Hunter is a member of the Austin Independent School District in Texas, representing District 1. She assumed office on December 1, 2022. Her current term ends in 2026.

Hunter ran for election to the Austin Independent School District to represent District 1 in Texas. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Hunter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

2022

General election

General election for Austin Independent School District District 1

Candace Hunter defeated Roxanne Evans in the general election for Austin Independent School District District 1 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Candace Hunter (Nonpartisan)	64.4	13,524
	Submit photo	Roxanne Evans (Nonpartisan)	35.6	7,487

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 21,011
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

Candace Hunter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hunter's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’ve been a student in Austin ISD, I’ve been a teacher, a tutor, a substitute, and a vendor. I’m a parent of a student who received special education services and a student at the Fine Arts Academy. I’m an advocate for families as well as teachers. I'm hoping to bring about a paradigm shift where schools and families are true partners in education.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Austin ISD has to be held accountable for the outcomes of our most underserved students.
School leadership has to center Austin ISD's teaching staff's professional, financial, and emotional well being.
The district must authentically engage and partner with Austin ISD families.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Properly funding public schools in Texas and amending the current recapture formula that penalizes Austin ISD's students.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Katie Porter, she is down to earth and not far removed from what the average person goes through.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

NA

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A willingness to put your ass on the line for what's right.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Committed

Unapologetic

Advocate

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To manage the district and set priorities for the administration to ensure successful outcomes for all students

What legacy would you like to leave?

She was a badass advocate for public education and she fought like hell for every kid in Austin ISD.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Iran Hostage Crisis. I was 8 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Bishop's AC & Auto, just for the summer through Travis Country Youth Employment

What is your favorite book? Why?

Anything by Lee Child, because Jack Reacher is a badass!

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Any crewman on the Starship Enterprise (except a red shirt) they're the first to die on away missions.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Harry Styles, As It Was

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Education. As a black female with learning difficulties, every academic victory has been hard won.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The main function of the school board is to provide local, citizen governance and oversight of education by setting priorities and working with the Superintendent to ensure successful outcomes for all students.

Who are your constituents?

Austin residents leaving in District 1 and families whose students attend Austin ISD.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

I engage staff and families to see what their needs are and advocated on their behalf

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

I use an open communication policy. I may not be able to solve your problem, but I'll listen

Do you believe it is important to intentionally recruit with the aim of diversifying the district’s faculty, staff, and administration? If so, what would be your policy to achieve this?

Yes! But do it in a way that builds capacity and leaves the door open for others; not just box-checking.

What issues get in the way of quality education? How would you address these obstacles?

In our state the legislature, because our schools are additionally cash-strapped there are limited funds to obtain, retain, and nurture new educators and administrator.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

"Good teaching" encompasses best practices and growth of the teacher and their students. This will be measured by the outcome of benchmark testing as well as family surveys. Does a kiddo like school is just as important as having a kiddo master standards. A vote yes for proven strategies that campus that campus experts support.

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

In Texas, I think it's important to first stop the erosion of the curriculum.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

Participating in a coalition with the city and local business to lobby the legislature to re-work the current funding formula.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Kids should feel safe coming in, passive safety measures and procedures not metal detectors and more police officers

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

A vote yes on campus wrap around services and contracts with providers for teachers, students, and families.

What role do you imagine technology playing in (and outside) the classroom in the future? How would you prepare the district for this?

Technology is a tool, and like any other tool knowing how to use determines it's effectiveness

What are your views on how to address schooling during pandemic times?

The pandemic has highlighted many inequities. It's important that school districts work to ensure every student is learning.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district? What plans do you have to be inclusive of parental involvement?

I keep parents in the loop by hosting a podcast Austin ISD ExOfficio podcast and producing Explainer videos.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candace Hunter

Contents

Elections

2022

General election

General election for Austin Independent School District District 1

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

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Public Policy

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