FRANKFORT, Ky. — While Republican Daniel Cameron has downplayed his support for charter schools and vouchers in presenting his education plans, school choice advocacy groups have pumped millions of dollars into ads attacking his opponent, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.
With school choice simmering as an ongoing issue in Kentucky’s legislature, Democrats say the ads by the outside groups are an acknowledgement they see Cameron — the state’s GOP gubernatorial nominee — as an ally. The Democratic criticism comes as Cameron is trying to make inroads with educators, who formed a crucial part of Beshear’s coalition in winning the governorship four years ago. The most prominent group representing Kentucky’s public school teachers has opposed school choice measures.
School choice looms as one of the most polarizing issues in the closely watched campaign marked by sharply contrasting views between Cameron and Beshear, who is seeking a second term in November. Bills promoting charter schools and private school-related tax credits were among the most contentious faced by Kentucky lawmakers in recent years, splintering Republican supermajorities. Beshear vetoed those school-choice measures, but enough GOP lawmakers voted to override his action.
Cameron skipped over school choice issues last week when unveiling an education plan. The state Democratic Party claimed it was a strategic omission, contending the GOP nominee recognizes his stance on school choice is “wildly unpopular” with Kentucky voters. Cameron’s campaign says school choice policy wasn’t included because his plan focused on overcoming pandemic-related learning setbacks he blames on COVID-era school closures backed by Beshear.
In a statement Monday, Cameron said the state can make robust investments in public education while “expanding opportunity and choice for our kids.” He vowed, if elected, to collaborate with the legislature on policies promoting “education innovation.”
While Cameron has…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply