Backing Teachers Unions Is Not a Winning Strategy, School-Choice Leader Schultz Warns

Protecting failing public school systems and supporting teachers unions is not a winning strategy for Democrats, according to Tommy Schultz, chief executive of the conservative advocacy group the American Federation for Children (AFC).

Schultz told Fox News Digital that, looking at the long-term trends, the teachers unions are in a pickle because more and more people are listening to politicians who have a vibrant education agenda. In his words, the unions really have no agenda other than wanting to keep children forced to attend the schools that they run and control. He said that is not a winning message in the end.

Teachers unions consistently oppose many school-choice initiatives supported by advocacy organisations like the AFC. They argue that programmes such as vouchers and education savings accounts siphon taxpayer funds away from public schools. Union leaders maintain that the money should instead go towards boosting teacher salaries, recruiting staff and upgrading public school facilities.

Democratic candidates in gubernatorial, congressional and state legislative races routinely back education platforms aligned with teachers unions. Financial analyses indicate that the nation's two largest teachers unions — the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) — have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on political activism, lobbying and progressive advocacy over the past decade.

While the NEA and AFT rank among the largest financial contributors to Democratic campaigns, both organisations have occasionally supported select Republican candidates in rural districts who advocate state aid for underfunded public schools.

Tensions between unions and parents have intensified in recent years, fuelled by concerns over learning loss following pandemic-era school closures. In response, Republicans have campaigned heavily on school choice, enacting measures to provide families with state-funded vouchers and education savings accounts to access private or alternative education outside their assigned neighbourhood districts.

However, recent Democratic wins in key state races could create headwinds for the school-choice movement. In Texas, Democratic Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has signalled opposition to the state's school voucher programme after defeating Republican Governor Greg Abbott in the November 3 election. Her victory raises questions about the future of Abbott's signature school-choice legislation, which established one of the nation's largest education savings account programmes.

Schultz described that as a knee-jerk reaction to the largest funders of the Democratic Party. He said the teachers unions bring in about $3 billion a year — the two national unions and their affiliates — making them a real driver of primary politics and Democratic politics in particular.

The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) programme, created by the state legislature with an initial $1 billion allocation, expanded access to private-school tuition and other approved education expenses for eligible families. The programme allows parents to direct state funds towards alternative education options, raising questions about the potential financial impact on traditional public school districts.

Major urban school districts across the country have faced steep enrolment declines since the Covid-19 pandemic. Some large districts, including the Houston Independent School District (HISD), have faced challenges retaining students amid changing enrolment patterns and competition from other education options.

Despite legislative hurdles in some states, Schultz expressed confidence that parental demand for school choice will continue to drive political outcomes. He said that over the last several years, candidates who bring a pro-school-choice message and a brighter vision of education — of what could happen to public schools and of families controlling their child's educational destiny — are the candidates who win.

The AFT and Hinojosa did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment. The NEA provided a statement it released following the November 3 midterm elections. NEA President Princess Moss said that across the nation most Americans want the same thing — a more affordable future, strong public schools and safer communities — and that they are ready to slam the door on corruption and self-dealing. She added that voters came together across race, place and gender and sent a clear message: put working families, students and educators first and deliver for communities, not billionaires and corporations.