After #RedForEd, Unofficial Results Show Educators Moving To November Ballot
In the wake of the largest teacher walkout in Arizona’s history, dozens of educators are moving on to run for public office.
For example, first-time politician and long-time educator Kathy Hoffman beat former Tempe councilmember and school administrator David Schapira in the Democratic state superintendent primary race.
One classroom teacher, Democrat Christine Marsh, filed to run before the #RedforEd movement, but will now face Republican Kate Brophy McGee in November, after running uncontested for Legislative District 28, near Paradise Valley.
“I couldn’t have predicted when I announced my candidacy in May of 2017 that #RedforEd was going to unfold but I’m thrilled it did," she said. "Our teachers and our students definitely needed that kind of a mass action.”
At least seven other classroom teachers running in primaries are most likely moving on based on unofficial voting results.
Some candidates said the statewide teacher walkout and Red for Ed campaign helped push them into politics to change what they see as a broken system.
“I think the RedForEd was incredibly inspiring both for me as a candidate but more importantly for teachers, community members and students," Marsh said. "So I think that RedforEd has likely had a rather large effect.”
It’s not just state elections: several former teachers are running for their local school boards as well.
