Central Texas Congressional Candidate Rebrands as "J. Gordon Mitchel" After Years of School Board Controversy

A former Leander ISD trustee known for his role in high profile curriculum disputes has reentered the political arena under a new name as he seeks the Democratic nomination in Texas' 17th Congressional District. James "Jim" MacKay-now campaigning as "J. Gordon Mitchel"-quietly adopted the new identity in 2025, shortly before announcing his congressional run.

For Democratic clubs, political reporters, and party activists tracking candidate backgrounds, the rebrand raises questions about transparency, ideological alignment, and accountability to voters.

A School Board Record That Drew Statewide Attention

During the 2020-21 school years, Leander ISD became a statewide symbol of book challenges targeting titles addressing race, gender, and sexuality. Under sustained pressure from conservative activists, the district temporarily removed dozens of books, many written by or featuring women, people of color, or LGBTQ characters.

MacKay, elected in 2016, was one of the board's most vocal critics of the district's reading lists. In his 2021 resignation email, he described certain materials as "psychological abuse," language that drew concern from educators and civil rights organizations.

LGBTQ Focused Books at the Center of Early Removals

Reports from the National Coalition Against Censorship show that LGBTQ themed titles were disproportionately targeted in the district's review process. Two of the first three books recommended for removal centered LGBTQ stories, and early challenges were driven by objections to LGBTQ representation.

MacKay's public comments frequently aligned with activists who labeled LGBTQ content "inappropriate," a characterization rejected by educators and advocacy groups. A 2021 report also noted that his resignation email raised concerns about limiting student access to LGBTQIA+ reading material.

Opposition to Diversity Curriculum and "Critical Race Theory"

MacKay also objected to diversity oriented instructional materials, including children's books such as The ABCs of Equality, which he called "agenda driven." At an August 2021 board meeting, he argued that "to fully accept someone as a human being I do not have to first hate myself for being born white," echoing rhetoric used in statewide debates over lessons on systemic racism.
He further stated he was "vehemently and adamantly opposed to critical race theory," using the term broadly to criticize curriculum addressing historical or systemic racism.

From Local Office to Congressional Bid

After leaving the Leander ISD board, MacKay ran for Williamson County Justice of the Peace as a Democrat, receiving 16.79% of the vote in the 2022 primary.
Now running as "J. Gordon Mitchel," he is again seeking Democratic support-this time in a congressional primary. For political desks and Democratic clubs evaluating candidates, the central question is whether the name change represents a substantive shift in values or a strategic effort to distance himself from a well documented public record.

Whether voters will connect the two identities remains uncertain. What is clear is that the success of the rebrand will depend on whether Democratic primary voters accept the new name without demanding accountability for the old one.
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Sources (AP Style)
1. Ballotpedia, "James MacKay (Texas)," accessed 2025.
2. School Library Journal, "Anatomy of a Challenge: A Book Ban in Leander, Texas Presaged a Pattern of Challenges Nationwide," Feb. 1, 2022.
3. National Coalition Against Censorship, "Texas School District Removes LGBTQ Books From Reading Lists," accessed 2025.
4. School Library Journal, "Anatomy of a Challenge...," Feb. 1, 2022.
5. Community Impact, "Former Leander ISD school board member writes email explaining his resignation," Sept. 15, 2021.
6. Four Points News, "Leander ISD trustee Jim MacKay resigns citing lax oversight of some literature in district," Sept. 10, 2021.
7. Hoodline, "Leander Community Clashes Over Book Content in Local School District," June 28, 2024.
8. KVUE, "Leander ISD returns 36 books to shelves after SB 12 review," Oct. 8, 2025.
9. FOX 7 Austin, "Leander ISD reinstates dozens of books after being removed from classrooms," Oct. 8, 2025.
10. Journal of Intellectual Freedom & Privacy, Vol. 6, Issue 2, "Censorship Dateline: Schools," 2021.
11. KUT 90.5, Allyson Ortegon, "Williamson County: 2022 Primary Elections Results," March 1, 2022.
12. Leander ISD Board of Trustees Meeting, Aug. 26, 2021, YouTube, timestamp 5:13:20.
13. Leander ISD Board of Trustees Meeting, Aug. 26, 2021, YouTube, timestamp 5:10:57.
14. Journal of Intellectual Freedom & Privacy, Vol. 6, Issue 4, "Censorship Dateline: Schools," 2021.

Gerard Garth Kaleb
3438 North 1450 West
Pleasant grove UT 84062
United States

Political Analyst

This release was published on openPR.