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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2002

News Release

Educators Influence Primary Elections

NEA Affiliates Support Pro-Public Education Candidates

Washington, D.C. - In Tuesday's key primary races throughout the country, the nation's educators lived the lesson of democracy by providing support to pro-public education candidates.

"This year's election is pivotal for children and public education," said Reg Weaver, President of the National Education Association. "We will be working with our members from now until November to elect candidates that care about our members, students and schools."

Affiliates of the National Education Association (NEA) were key in deciding primaries in the states of Georgia, Rhode Island, Arizona, Florida and Wisconsin.

• The Georgia Association of Educators threw its weight behind Charles "Champ" Walker Jr. who earned the Democratic slot to run for the new U.S. House seat in District 12.
• The Arizona Education Association backed Attorney General Janet Napolitano in the Democratic primary for the Governor's race.
• NEA's Rhode Island affiliate supported Myrth York, a longtime friend of NEA Rhode Island in the statehouse, who won the Democratic primary in the Governor's race.
• The Florida Education Association's (FEA) efforts paid off with Democrat Bill McBride's victory. FEA is credited with pushing McBride's campaign forward with an incredible grassroots initiative mobilizing members of the FEA.
• The Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) supported Attorney General Jim Doyle, who won the Democratic primary for the Governor's race.

The National Education Association supports candidates who support children and public education through mobilizing its members, discussing education issues and giving direct contributions to candidates from the NEA's Fund for Children and Public Education - a political action committee that is funded through voluntary contributions of NEA members.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.