School choice has become a hot issue in the wake of the pandemic. As the 2024 election season approaches, the American Federation for Children is launching a super PAC called AFC Victory Fund to target state legislators who oppose school choice for students.
“Coming off our best election cycle ever, the tectonic plates have shifted decisively in favor of educational freedom, and we’re just getting started,” CEO Tommy Schultz said. “With AFC Victory Fund, we are taking our work to the next level, intending to invest at least $10 million in state-level races to ensure the interests of parents are represented at ballot boxes in key districts from coast to coast. With $6 million already committed, we are shaping up to have our best cash position ever ahead of the primary season.”
The fund specifically will target candidates who oppose school choice and educational freedom.
“If you’re a champion for parents, we’ll be your shield,” he said. “Especially when we see news that even teachers unions bosses are choosing private schools for their own kids, we are motivated to ensure all families have those options available for their own children, not just for the elected or politically connected.”
Ryan Cantrell, the organization’s director of government affairs, believes many parents are ready for change.
“There is endless amounts of money that the unions have to fight to keep school choice from expanding even further, but that’s why AFC is excited about this, because it gives us more flexibility, it gives us more ability to have an impact on some of those places where the union grip is still too strong,” he said. “This structure is going to allow us to scale up and be even more nimble, be more effective, than we have been previously. Republicans, Democrats, independents all agree that parents should have more options for their kids. And so that’s what we’re really trying to seize on right now — the majority of parents really want to see this happen.”
According to EdChoice.org, “There are 77 educational choice programs on the books in 32 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. For detailed information about each program.”
More information is available at www.federationforchildren.org.
–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice
