Educators Celebrate Reelection of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

National Education Association President Becky Pringle released the following statement celebrating the reelection of Governor Andy Beshear and Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman: 

“Tonight, the people of Kentucky delivered a resounding victory for Governor Andy Beshear and Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman – herself a public school educator - rewarding their efforts to strengthen the Bluegrass State’s public schools. 

“For the last four years, Governor Beshear has put Kentucky’s students - no matter their race, place, or background - at the top of his priority list. He has partnered with parents, families, and educators across the Commonwealth to expand learning opportunities for students, invested in mental health supports for students, started addressing educator shortages by paying educators the professional compensation they deserve, and worked to ensure students are learning the skills they need to be successful in life. 

“Governor Beshear has respected public school educators and ensured they have a seat at the table when making education policy.  

“Beshear’s opponent, Daniel Cameron, ran his campaign promising to drag right-wing culture wars into classrooms and onto campuses. Cameron made this election a referendum on his push to divert public school funding into unaccountable and discriminatory private schools through vouchers. 

“Voters once again rejected right-wing culture wars. They rejected efforts to privatize public schools. Voters explicitly rejected extremist politicians that attack our educators and public schools, while offering nothing to help our students and communities thrive. 

“Across Kentucky, parents, grandparents, and educators together made their presence felt in this election in support of Governor Beshear. They went door-to-door, speaking to their friends and neighbors. They spent their nights and weekends speaking to their communities. And they turned out to vote, knowing that Kentucky’s public schools and students’ futures were on the ballot. 

“On behalf of the 3 million members of the National Education Association, I would like to congratulate Governor Andy Beshear and Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman on their re-election.”  

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 The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.