This week, I wrote about the rifts appearing in the Democratic party, and how they’re playing out in one state legislative race in Tacoma.
A piece of that flare up centers on a reliable Democratic constituency—the teachers’ unions. This year, the Washington Education Association, the largest state teachers’ union, is supporting some Democrats over others and at least one Republican—Dave Schmidt, running for the 44th district (Snohomish and Lake Stevens). The WEA gave Schmidt’s campaign $1600. It’s a strong indication the ed reform debate is reconfiguring traditional Democratic alliances.
I asked WEA spokesman David Phelps if he thought the education reform debate was bringing about a shift in political allegiances. “I think it’s correct to say there is something of a realignment,” said Phelps, “Caring about the needs of public education and public schools, that doesn’t necessarily belong to one party.”
Republican Schmidt is running against Democratic State Sen. Steve Hobbs, recipient of $11,298.44 in contributions and other expenditures from the well-funded reform operation Stand For Children (their biggest contribution to any candidate so far this cycle). Stand for Children is synced with President Obama’s reform agenda, and this is their first year with significant support for candidates both monetarily and in the field. They have spent $144,969.45 so far this year in contributions and independent expenditures. We have a call in to Stand for Children to get their take on the reform battle taking shape for the 2011 session.
The teachers’ union was, in fact, allied with the GOP in 2009 to stop an ed reform bill. In 2010, nervous they had gone too far and alienated the union, the Democrats weakened a follow-up reform bill to make nice. (This time the GOP sided with the reformers.)
The WEA has spent $523,279.29 so far this year on direct candidate contributions and independent expenditures.
This election cycle, reformers, and particularly Stand for Children, are recruiting Democrats and Republicans to press on with reform. In the 34th, for example, Stand for Children is helping candidate Mike Heavey with $6,225.86 in contributions and in-kind donations. The WEA gave Joe Fitzgibbon, his opponent, $800.
Phelps told me the WEA’s concern is that some reform groups are pushing reform measures that are untested. “We are not working against candidates that are interested in promoting thoughtful, research-based reform,” said Phelps. “Where we draw the line is where people pull ed reform ideas out of a hypothetical hat.”
Stand for Children is also picking sides in another Democratic duel. They’ve given Laurie Jinkins, running in the Tacoma race I wrote about yesterday, $8,280.47. We’re still waiting to see if the WEA contributes to her Democratic opponent, Jake Fey.
SFC—again, a big Obama ally—is also giving to Republicans who are prioritizing education reform. Cathy Dahlquist, who’s running for State Rep in the 31st against Republican Shawn Bunney, has received $8,103.63 from the group. Steve Litzow, running for State Senate in the 41st against incumbent Democratic incumbent Randy Gordon, has gotten $4,542.76 from the PAC.
