A Win for Students, Educators and for Retirees

Nov 07, 2018

From:  MEA Capitol Comments
Wins for a slew of MEA-recommended candidates in Tuesday’s election, highlighted by Gretchen Whitmer’s victory in the race for governor, represent a “course correction”  for Michigan and public education, says MEA President Paula Herbart.

“With Governor-elect Whitmer’s victory, along with many new pro-public education legislators, we look forward to our state’s top elected officials reaching out to front-line education experts—teachers and school support professionals—to ensure their voices are heard before making education policy decisions,” Herbart said in a statement. 

Now the real work begins, according to Whitmer. “Voters rejected agendas that don’t put our kids’ education first,” she added, noting her pledge to level the playing field and make the state a place where kids stay, families thrive, and people come to for opportunity.

“I’m determined to work with everyone who wants to make sure that is the future of our state,” she said.

Five MEA members won election to state-level office on the heels of the nationwide #RedForEd movement, including two in northwestern Wayne County who flipped seats from red to blue in tightly contested races: Livonia teacher Dayna Polehanki won  Senate District 7, and Monroe County teacher Matt Koleszar will represent House District 20 . 

Polehanki said her win was a victory for anyone tired of the status quo. “This election was about bringing a new approach to Lansing – an approach that puts people over special interests to deliver clean water, better schools, and safe roads for every Michigan family.”

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