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OEA Republicans – an oxymoron?

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 By Beth Lear

A recent blog pointed out that nationally Republicans who are given ‘kudos’ from the National Education Association’s report card are nonetheless usually overlooked when election season rolls around.  The teachers’ unions, both nationally and locally, claim to be nonpartisan, but their track record is clearly left-sided.

In Ohio, the OEA endorsed only 6 Republicans out of the 99 House seats up for election, that’s around 6%.  The State Senate faired a little better, if you can call it better, because 4 Republicans out of 16 races received the endorsement.  But what does it mean that the teachers’ unions support one candidate over the other?

If you read the candidates positions from their various web pages, it doesn’t sound like all these Republicans will remain darlings of the OEA for long.  Several claim to be staunch supporters of school choice and merit pay (2 of the key items of the Republican Party Platform).  Others we know by their voting records do not support your right to choose your child’s education, and that may be why the OEA is supporting them publicly.  We certainly know that Rep. Jon Peterson, who is term-limited, and Speaker Jon Husted, will not get OEA awards for their firm and consistent advocacy of parental choice.  Thank you, gentlemen.

So an Ohio voter would have to wonder if the OEA endorses a Republican, does that mean the Republican is more likely to support the Democratic Party Platform instead of their own when it comes to education issues?  Check their web pages and then, if they have one, check their voting record.  What is said in front of cameras and online can differ from what actually occurs on the Statehouse floor.  And remember, candidates who support your right to choose your child’s education can come from all political affiliations.  This election season, get educated.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 at 4:21 pm and is filed under Observations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “OEA Republicans – an oxymoron?”

  1. David Hansen Says:
    October 21st, 2008 at 4:26 pm

    Beth, good piece.

    However, I see you reference the national Republican platform. Why is there nothing about the Ohio GOP education planks?

  2. Beth Lear Says:
    October 22nd, 2008 at 9:03 am

    Thanks, David. The Ohio Republican Party doesn’t have their own platform–they share the national platform.

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