In State Races, Democrats’ Success Sets Stage For New Education Agendas

Democrats shifted the balance of power throughout the states yesterday by taking six governors’ seats from Republicans and retaking control of legislative chambers in seven statehouses, setting the stage for Democrat-leaning education agendas that are likely to focus on boosting public school funding, expanding early-childhood-education programs, and making college tuition more affordable.

After Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., a Republican, conceded his race to Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley, the Democrats took control of 28 governors’ mansions and Republicans will hold 22. Democrats won open seats in New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Arkansas.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican who has been active in national education reform and is the incoming chairman of the National Governors Association, eked out a second-term victory in one of the closest gubernatorial races in the country. Only about 16,000 votes separated him from Democratic Attorney General Mike Hatch, out of more than...

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