Florida News

School Choice Candidates See Better Odds for Victory in 2024 Election

Published

January 12, 2024

Florida school board elections in 2022 saw a red wave of grassroots candidates winning on the issue of supporting school choice.

Now, some groups want to see this success on a national level.

A new poll of 1,000 registered voters from RealClear Opinion Research found that candidates who embraced school choice would get support from all political parties.

Seventy-six percent of voters said they were more likely to vote for a candidate who supports school choice.

The breakdown: Democrats (77%), Republicans (86%), and Independents (67%).

The poll also looked at the demographics showing the highest support from Black Americans. Around 80 percent said they would be more likely to vote for someone who champions school choice.

Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children, says these results confirm that school choice is here to stay and remains a political reality to which legislators who wish to be reelected must respond.

“School choice is a voter priority that is not going away anytime soon,” Schultz said. “Politicians who choose to ignore this groundswell will find themselves facing the consequences. It’s clear to parents which candidates are standing with them and which are siding with special interest groups who want to limit their children’s educational opportunities. AFC will continue to stand behind parents in this fight, and we look forward to more victories for parents in 2024.”

One of the questions on the survey asked:

School choice gives parents the right to use the tax dollars designated for their child’s education to send them to the public or private school that best serves their needs. How would a candidate’s support of school choice affect your vote for them?

The responses: More Likely Overall – 76.3%

Age:

18-34: 70.7%