AUSTIN, TX (Feb. 28, 2023) – Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) announced today that Garry Jones has been appointed Executive Director of Democrats for Education Reform Texas (DFER TX) and its affiliate think tank Education Reform Now Texas (ERN TX).
Jones, who most recently served as Political Director of DFER TX, brings more than a decade of experience as a strategist working in Texas Democratic politics, including serving as a Chief of Staff in the Texas State Senate. Under Jones’ leadership last year, DFER TX helped elect six Democratic education Champions to the Texas House of Representatives, and supported Staci Childs in winning her seat on the State Board of Education.
“The Democratic victories that Garry helped realize in Texas—particularly in such a short time—are remarkable,” said DFER Interim CEO Shakira Petit. “Given the current political environment, there is an urgent, critical need to invest in Democrats who will fight for a quality, equitable public education for Texas students and Garry has distinguished himself as the leader DFER TX needs to grow our chapter’s impact in the Lone Star State.”
With 2023 and 2024 elections on the horizon, DFER TX is focused on growing the number of Democratic education champions in the state legislature and in municipalities across the state, while also advancing and defending a pro-student education agenda.
These policy priorities include overhauling the community college finance system, protecting funding gains for public education, ensuring all public schools are treated equitably by local governments, and maintaining and perfecting policies designed to hold schools accountable to parents and taxpayers.
“It is an honor to take the helm at DFER TX to elevate the Democratic Party in this important work of advancing educational equity,” said Jones. “With the substantial budget surplus, Texas Democrats have a real opportunity to make historic investments in public education and solidify ourselves as champions for student-centered, common-sense policies. I look forward to working together with elected officials and partners across the state to make Texas a national example of Democrats leading on innovative public school reform policies.”
DFER TX was launched in 2022 to build on the organization’s prior work with Legacy 44, a volunteer-led state Political Action Committee (PAC) that invests in Democratic candidates for elected office in Texas who, following in the path of our 44th President Barack Obama, will promote a strong public education system.
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About Democrats for Education Reform
Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that increase educational equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. It is a partner organization of Education Reform Now Advocacy, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that supports DFER’s legislative and policy advocacy work. DFER maintains state chapters in Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C. www.dfer.org.