Home > News > Education updates > 2008 education updates > Members play important role in elections

email

print

text size

Members play important role in elections

Although the U.S. Senate race between Al Franken and Sen. Norm Coleman is still undecided, Education Minnesota members played a vital role in this historic election. Hundreds of members from across the state spent more than 4,500 hours volunteering for candidates, participating in AFL-CIO member-education campaigns and get-out-the-vote efforts.

"We covered more ground and made a bigger difference than we ever have before," said Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher. "I am proud to have worked with members to help create the change we need for education."

The election of Barack Obama as president is a major victory for students and educators. Obama has said education means "more to our economic future than anything."

Here are some additional facts about this election:

• In the federal congressional races, five of the eight Education Minnesota-recommended candidates were elected:
• CD1: Tim Walz
• CD4: Betty McCollum
• CD5: Keith Ellison
• CD7: Collin Peterson
• CD8: Jim Oberstar
• In the U.S. Senate race, there will be a recount, as state law requires any time the margin between the top two candidates is less than one-half of one percent. It may be many weeks before we know a final result.
• In the state House races, 72 percent of our recommended candidates won. The new makeup of the House is 87 DFL seats to 47 GOP seats, a net gain of two seats for the DFL.
• In local levy elections, 42 districts proposed operating levies to voters. Twenty-two (52 percent) passed at least one question but overall only 24 of the 54 total levy questions (44 percent) passed. The results where levy requests failed are disappointing and harmful to our members and the students they serve in these districts.

"While we enjoyed some tremendous victories, our work has only just begun," said Dooher. "The mixed levy results in particular show that we must continue our efforts to push for education funding that is equitable, sustainable, predictable and sufficient.

"We must continue to be heard. We must remain active participants in public policy as our new and returning lawmakers prepare for the 2009 legislative session."