American Federation for Children Spent More Than $7 Million in 2012, Expands Educational Choice Support Across the Country

New report shows that leading educational choice group and its affiliates influenced more than 200 political races

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report released today by the American Federation for Children—the nation's voice for educational choice—reveals that the Federation and its affiliated organizations spent more than $7 million on political races in 2012, helping elect nearly 200 candidates from across the country who have pledged to enact, expand, and strengthen educational choice for America's children.

The Federation's 2012 Election Impact Report—the third annual report detailing the organization's investments in political races nationwide—profiles its investments in 219 races in nine different states—Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. In total, 83 percent of the candidates supported by the organization and its affiliates in 2012 won their elections.

This year's political involvement by the Federation and its affiliated organizations represents one of their largest investments ever, reinforcing their pledge to ensure that high-quality, accountable school choice legislation is enacted for children in greatest need of better educational opportunities.

"Our work in these elections is fundamentally important to the future of creating more, better, and higher-impact education reform across the country," said Kevin P. Chavous, executive counsel to the American Federation for Children and a former Washington, D.C., Council member. "Through supporting a dynamic coalition of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who are committed to improving the lives of children, especially those from low-income families, we can transform the lives of more young people than ever before through educational choice."

Approximately 40 percent of the Federation's total contributions to candidates in 2012 went to Democrats, an indication of the growing bipartisanship present in the educational choice movement.

Candidate questionnaires were used to determine which candidates will support educational choice if elected.  Support came via a combination of direct contributions, independent expenditures, and in-kind expenditures.

The 2012 Election Impact Report also features profiles of some of the most noteworthy newly-elected choice supporters as well as incumbents from across the states.

Nationwide, there are 32 publicly-funded private school choice programs in 16 states and the District of Columbia. This year, it is anticipated that approximately 250,000 children will participate in these programs.

Visit www.FederationforChildren.org to download the report.

SOURCE American Federation for Children