One of the state’s most prominent anti-Common Core groups endorsed a sea of candidates for Congress Monday as “education champions” in the Sunshine State.
Florida Parents Against Common Core endorsed four candidates for Congress -- all Republicans -- citing their commitment to public education, curriculum and parent input as some of the reasons for green lighting the candidates before the primary election later this month.
Florida has five of the 12 most populous school districts in the United States, meaning the stakes are high on a national level for education in the Sunshine State -- and with over 4,200 schools in Florida, education is one of the top issues for candidates in their campaigns.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, Mary Thomas, U.S. Rep. David Jolly and Rebecca Negron all received the seal of approval from the group.
The endorsements come just eight days before the primary elections at the end of this month. Some of the endorsements come in crowded primary elections like CD, where eight Republicans are vying to win the candidacy in that district.
Gaetz, the group said, has been easily accessible to listen to voters and has taken voter suggestions to make real legislative change.
“Many of us parents have seen Matt in action as a superior Florida representative,” FPACC said. “His precision with words and policy is not only admirable but has shown time and time again to be to the greater benefit of all Floridians.
Gaetz, the group said, is a much-needed voice for Floridians in Washington.
“Students, parents, and teachers need his leadership in order to regain their rightful priority in influencing and eventually determining state-led education curriculum, standards, and testing,” they said.
Another endorsement came in CD13, where U.S. Rep. David Jolly will face off against retired Marine Corps Reserve brigadier general Mark Bircher in the primary.
Jolly is expected to easily win the primary and will then battle against former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist for the seat.
“In a DC culture where winning elections at times matter more than standing accurate on issues, he is the standard bearer for allegiance to truthfulness when engaging with the public,” said FPACC on Jolly’s candidacy.
Jolly has openly opposed Common Core and Race to the Top, a competitive grant program often criticized for pushing states to adopt Common Core.
“I have fought tirelessly for successful educational programs, like Head Start, and worked to end top-down federal curriculum models, like Common Core, that come at the expense of the autonomy of local school boards and parents who are best suited to craft educational plans for students,” Jolly wrote on his campaign website.
“Representative Jolly does not and has not shied away from condemning Common Core and the federal influence in education,” said FPACC.
The group also endorsed Rebecca Negron, who is running in a crowded field to take the South Florida CD18 nomination. FPACC says the South Florida school board member knows the “harmful effects” of federal and state collusion on education, believing she’d take a stand against federal overreach.
“We look forward to her serving Floridians in what is sure to be a contentious fight between the federal and state governments,” said FPACC.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
