This is a press release from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
Education played a significant role in the 2022 election cycle in America—and parents remain a key voting bloc. While control of the U.S. Congress hangs in the balance with a handful of races still too close to call, signs are clear that charter schools will emerge on stronger footing.
From coast to coast, a bipartisan roster of charter school supporters handily won several elections for governor and seats in the U.S. Congress. A recent survey commissioned by the National Alliance and conducted by The Harris Poll found that more than 4 in 5 parents (83%) agree that education has become a more important political issue to them than it was in the past. Parents used their voice at the ballot box to call for more public education options and a renewed focus on education for all children.
“Congratulations to all the winners in last night’s elections. I offer this advice – please keep your promises to parents, to students, and to the communities you will serve,” said Nina Rees, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. “Our newly elected leaders have been issued a mandate: Expand opportunities and remove barriers to high-quality public education options.”
Among many others, we look forward to working with:
Members of Congress —
- California Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D), who has worked to give students more opportunities to be highly trained in math, science, and technology so they can turn ideas into innovations, was reelected for a 14th term in Congress.
- Colorado Senator Michael Bennet (D), a National Alliance Champion for Charter Schools who consistently leads on Charter Schools Program (CSP) funding requests and led the fight against the proposed CSP rules won reelection
- Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R), who won reelection and is a longtime supporter of charter schools and school choice.
- Georgia Congressman Sanford Bishop (D), a longtime charter school supporter who prevailed in a tough reelection campaign and was recognized by the National Alliance as a Champion for Charter Schools.
- Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R), who is a leader in the House Public Education Caucus and believes that every family should have the ability to choose the best education that fits the needs for their child, regardless of zip code.
- Michigan Congressman John Moolenaar (R), who as a fierce defender of public charter schools, was a leader of the effort to defend the Charter Schools Program in the House as a member of the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, and has been recognized by the National Alliance as a Champion for Charter Schools.
- New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan (D), who as a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions has worked to ensure that every child has access to a quality K-12 public education.
- New York Congressman Ritchie Torres (D), who as a powerful voice for students, advocates for the students and families in his community, leads the bipartisan House Public Education Caucus, and has been recognized by the National Alliance as a Champion for Charter Schools.
- North Carolina Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R), who has fought for charter schools and school choice in her role as ranking member of the Committee on Education and Labor for more than a decade won reelection.
- Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole (R), who is a tireless, longtime supporter of charter schools and has fought to protect the Charter Schools Program as ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.
- South Carolina Senator Tim Scott (R), a longtime charter school supporter who introduced legislation to challenge the legality of new Charter Schools Program rules enacted by the U. S. Department of Education and has been honored by the National Alliance as a Champion for Charter Schools.
- South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn (D), current House Majority Whip who won reelection and is a longtime charter school supporter.
- South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson (R), who has fought to make sure every student can succeed, and every parent is empowered to make choices in their child’s education, won reelection to a seat he has held for two decades.
Governors —
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D), who is a National Alliance Champion for Charter Schools, has been one of the public charter school sector’s most trusted allies.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), a stalwart charter school supporter who won reelection against a candidate whose running mate was president of the Miami teachers union.
- Hawaii Governor-elect Josh Green (D), who won his election and was recognized by the National Alliance as a Champion for Charter Schools when he was Lt. Governor of Hawaii.
- Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R), who in 2021 signed into law a game-changing bill that sets a high bar for opening charter schools to ensure quality, holds schools accountable, and allows applicants to apply directly to the state board of education.
- New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R), who is a proponent of charter schools in his state, voiced his opposition to the proposed Charter Schools Program rules and asked the Biden Administration to reconsider.
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D), who voiced her support for charter schools on the campaign trail and won reelection.
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R), who is a longtime, vocal charter school supporter and has been recognized by the National Alliance as a Champion for Charter Schools.
- Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R) whose state saw charter school enrollment grow significantly during the pandemic, won reelection in a race where education choice figured prominently.
- Pennsylvania Governor-elect Josh Shapiro (D), who voiced support for and defended educational choice during his campaign.
- Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee (D), a charter school champion who survived a tough primary challenge and won reelection.
- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R), a longtime vocal supporter of charter schools and choice who was reelected by a wide margin.
These election results are clear evidence that voters support candidates who support charter schools. Support for public charter schools is high. According to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll, 81% of parents support expanding the number of slots in existing public charter schools in their area. The impact of these elections is significant and will determine the path for improving public education for the next two years.
