Educational choice candidates prevail in Louisiana elections

Baton Rouge, LA (Nov. 22, 2015) – The Louisiana Federation for Children (LFC), the state’s voice for educational choice, congratulates its endorsed candidates, who won in 44 of 57 primary and runoff races in which Louisiana Federation for Children Political Action Committee (LFC PAC) invested. These victorious candidates represent even stronger bipartisan support of educational choice for Louisiana families.

“During this election cycle, voters overwhelmingly chose candidates who supported educational choice,” said Ann Duplessis, president of LFC. “Parental choice was a critically popular issue and the results demonstrate the importance of protecting and expanding educational choice throughout Louisiana.”

In the state’s legislative, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), and gubernatorial races, the LFC PAC provided more than $1 million in independent expenditures and direct contributions to support pro-educational choice candidates in the primary and runoff elections.  This is the largest election investment in LFC’s history.

Louisiana voters enthusiastically supported educational choice candidates in the legislative and BESE races, and LFC urges Governor-elect John Bel Edwards to follow their lead.

“We congratulate Governor-elect John Bel Edwards on his victory and stand ready to work with his administration to honor and protect parental choice and the education reforms that have improved the lives of thousands of Louisiana students,” added Duplessis. “We take Governor-elect Edwards at his word when he had his supporters tell voters that an Edwards’ administration won’t undermine parental choice. The election results from throughout the state are clear: Parents rallied behind pro-school choice candidates which is why Louisiana’s educational choice programs are now backed by an even stronger bipartisan majority in the state legislature and on BESE. Parents rose up last month and this past Saturday and elected pro-school choice candidates. We will not back down in our commitment to protecting Louisiana’s school choice programs that serve the state’s most disadvantaged children.”

The Louisiana Federation for Children seeks to improve Louisiana’s K-12 education by advancing systemic and sustainable public policy that empowers parents, particularly those in low-income families, to choose the education they determine is best for their children. LFC supports a wide range of educational choice initiatives by building strong legislative coalitions and working closely with allies.  The organization also fight against bills and regulatory attacks that would create barriers for families in existing school choice programs.

LFC PAC election highlights (includes primary and runoff results):

·       BESE: Supported candidates in seven of the state’s eight BESE districts. 7 candidates won their races.

·       Senate: Supported 13 candidates. 8 candidates were elected.

·       House: Supported 36 candidates. 29 candidates were elected.

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