New super PAC launched by school choice group to focus on state lawmakers.
Advocacy Group Launches Super PAC to Expand School Choice
A prominent school choice advocacy group has made a bold move to target state lawmakers who oppose expanding school choice, including in primary races. The American Federation for Children (AFC), a nonprofit organization that advocates for school choice, has launched its new AFC Victory Fund PAC. With a commitment of at least $10 million during the 2024 election cycle, the PAC aims to support candidates who are in favor of school choice, already securing $6 million in commitments.
“With AFC Victory Fund, we are taking our work to the next level, intending to invest at least $10 million in state-level races to ensure the interests of parents are represented at ballot boxes in key districts from coast to coast,” said Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children. “With $6 million already committed, we are shaping up to have our best cash position ever ahead of the primary season.”
The launch of this new PAC builds on the American Federation for Children’s recent efforts to support pro-school choice candidates at the state level. Ryan Cantrell, the organization’s director of government affairs, highlighted the importance of the PAC in countering campaign spending by teachers unions.
“There is endless amounts of money that the unions have to fight to keep school choice from expanding even further, but that’s why AFC is excited about this [PAC] because it gives us more flexibility, it gives us more ability to have an impact on some of those places where the union grip is still too strong,” Cantrell said. “This structure is going to allow us to scale up and be even more nimble, be more effective, than we have been previously.”
The launch of the PAC coincides with the enactment of sweeping school choice legislation in several Republican-controlled states. Florida, Utah, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, and North Carolina were among the states that implemented universal school choice programs in 2023. Cantrell emphasized the strong political momentum for school choice, with support coming from Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike.
“Republicans, Democrats, independents, all agree that parents should have more options for their kids,” he said. “And so that’s what we’re really trying to seize on right now — the majority of parents really want to see this happen.”
In 2024, the PAC will be actively involved in state legislator races and is expected to target incumbent Republicans who oppose school choice during primary elections. Additionally, the committee plans to influence a November special election for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives, where Republican lawmakers have been divided over enacting school choice, despite strong support from Governor Greg Abbott.
“I think [the special election] is going to be a litmus test for what school choice ends up looking like in Texas over the next year,” Cantrell told the Washington Examiner. “We’ve seen the House in Texas refuse to get school choice across the finish line, and so I think the special election is going to require every single candidate in that race to be very clear about what school choice means to them.”
How does the AFC Victory Fund PAC aim to level the playing field in the political arena regarding school choice?
Ave at their disposal,” Cantrell said. “They spend millions of dollars every year to elect lawmakers who will oppose school choice and protect their own interests. We need to be able to compete with that and make sure that parents have a voice in the education decisions that affect their children.”
School choice is a controversial topic in the United States, and the launch of the AFC Victory Fund PAC is seen as a significant development in the fight for expanding educational opportunities. School choice advocates argue that parents should have the freedom to choose the best educational environment for their children, whether it be public, private, charter, or homeschooling. They believe that a one-size-fits-all approach to education limits options and hinders student success.
Opponents of school choice, particularly teachers unions, argue that it diverts funding away from public schools and leads to further inequality in education. They believe that the focus should be on improving existing public schools rather than diverting resources to private or charter institutions.
With the launch of the AFC Victory Fund PAC, the American Federation for Children aims to level the playing field in the political arena and ensure that candidates who support school choice have the financial backing necessary to compete in elections. By targeting key districts and investing millions of dollars in campaigns, the PAC hopes to influence the election of state lawmakers who will champion school choice policies.
Advocacy groups like the American Federation for Children recognize the importance of legislative support in advancing their cause. State-level races, including primary elections, can be crucial in determining the success or failure of policies related to education. By investing in these races, the AFC Victory Fund PAC seeks to make a direct impact on policy outcomes and bring about meaningful change in the area of school choice.
The launch of this PAC also highlights the growing influence of advocacy groups in American politics. With the ability to raise significant amounts of money and direct it towards specific campaigns, these groups can shape the policy landscape and sway electoral outcomes. The AFC Victory Fund PAC is a prime example of how advocacy groups are using their resources strategically to promote their agenda and bring about change.
As the 2024 election cycle approaches, it will be interesting to see the impact that the AFC Victory Fund PAC has on the school choice debate. With significant financial resources at their disposal, candidates who support school choice will have a better chance of winning and implementing policies that give parents greater control over their children’s education. The launch of this PAC signals a new phase in the fight for expanding school choice and ensuring that every child has access to quality education.
In conclusion, the launch of the AFC Victory Fund PAC by the American Federation for Children is a significant development in the advocacy for school choice. By committing at least $10 million during the 2024 election cycle, this PAC aims to support candidates who are in favor of school choice and counter the campaign spending by teachers unions. The launch of this PAC highlights the growing influence of advocacy groups in American politics and their ability to shape policy outcomes. As the 2024 election cycle approaches, the AFC Victory Fund PAC will play a crucial role in promoting school choice and giving parents a greater voice in their children’s education.
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