A Fierce Fight for Governor, Where Education May Make the Difference

Ask Wisconsin voters what issues they care about most in the midterm elections - and education is right at the top of the list, just behind the economy. Voters even support increasing school spending rather than cutting their property taxes. Perhaps this isn’t surprising in a state where education has been a political flashpoint since Republican Gov. Scott Walker first took office in 2011. Walker slashed spending, including for schools, and weakened teacher and other public employee unions. He also expanded school choice. Now running for his third term, he is facing a man with a dramatically different view of education. His Democratic opponent, longtime elected superintendent Tony Evers, wants to shore up traditional public schools. Evers told Education Week, “I’ve fought for schools rather than bringing them down.” But Walker, who increased school funding in his last budget, is now claiming he’s “The Education Governor”. Right now this race is too close to call.