In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Tommy Schultz, chief executive of the conservative education advocacy group American Federation for Children (AFC), warned that Democrats’ continued reliance on teachers‑union backing and support for struggling public‑school systems is a losing political strategy. Schultz, a longtime proponent of school‑choice policies, argued that the growing number of voters listening to candidates with vibrant education agendas is putting teachers unions in a difficult position.
Union opposition to school‑choice measures
Schultz noted that teachers unions, primarily the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), consistently oppose school‑choice initiatives such as vouchers and education savings accounts. Union leaders claim those programs divert taxpayer dollars away from public schools, insisting the money should instead be used to raise teacher salaries, recruit staff, and improve school facilities.
Political spending and partisan alignment
Financial analyses cited in the interview show the NEA and AFT have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into political activism, lobbying, and progressive advocacy over the past decade. While the unions are among the largest contributors to Democratic campaigns, they have occasionally supported Republican candidates in rural districts who championed state aid for underfunded public schools.
Impact of recent Democratic victories
Recent Democratic wins in key state races could create headwinds for the school‑choice movement. In Texas, Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat, has signaled opposition to the state’s school‑voucher program after defeating Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in the November 3 election. Hinojosa’s victory raises questions about the future of Abbott’s signature school‑choice legislation, which established one of the nation’s largest education savings account programs.
Schultz emphasized that teachers unions bring in roughly $3 billion a year for political activity, making them a major driver of Democratic primary politics. He argued that the unions’ message—keeping children in schools they control—fails to resonate with parents who want more control over their child’s education.
Parental demand and the Texas Education Freedom Accounts
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, created by the state legislature with an initial $1 billion allocation, expands access to private‑school tuition and other approved education expenses for eligible families. The program allows parents to direct state funds toward alternative education options, prompting concerns about the financial impact on traditional public‑school districts.
Despite legislative hurdles in some states, Schultz expressed confidence that parental demand for school choice will continue to drive political outcomes. He said, “When you bring a message of pro‑school‑choice policies and a brighter vision of education—of what could happen to public schools and for families controlling their child’s educational destiny—those candidates win.”
Responses from unions and education leaders
The AFT and Gov.-elect Hinojosa did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The NEA issued a statement after the November 3 midterm elections, asserting that most Americans want “a more affordable future, strong public schools and safer communities,” and urging voters to “put working families, students and educators first and deliver for our communities, not billionaires and corporations.”
Schultz’s comments reflect a broader national trend in which school‑choice advocates argue that empowering parents with options will improve educational outcomes and restore competition to a system they view as stagnant. As Texas voters continue to weigh the merits of vouchers and education savings accounts, the debate over the role of teachers unions in shaping education policy is likely to remain a focal point of upcoming legislative sessions.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
