School Choice Supporters Hold Seats in Wisconsin Senate; Education Reform Majority Upheld

American Federation for Children Cheers Victories of School Choice Champions in Historic Elections

MADISON, Wis., Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the eyes of the nation watching, Wisconsin citizens yesterday voted to retain the school choice majority in the Wisconsin Senate—a triumphant victory for supporters of the state's school voucher programs and a rebuke of divisive, special interest-sponsored recall efforts.

Four of six Senators retained their seats in yesterday's recall elections, including education reform advocates Senator Alberta Darling and Senator Luther Olsen. In recent months, the American Federation for Children—the nation's voice for school choice—played a crucial role in communicating with voters about the issue records of these elected officials via direct mail, television advertising, radio advertising, and on-the-ground outreach. AFC's aggressive issue advocacy outreach represented one of the bipartisan organization's largest investments to date.

"The 'kids first' education agenda that Governor Scott Walker so eloquently described in his speech to AFC's policy summit earlier this year has been upheld and strengthened as a result of this historic recall election," said AFC Chairman Betsy DeVos. "The people of Wisconsin chose to put aside the innuendo of the special interests and to affirm the hard work, diligence, and courage of elected officials who worked tirelessly to enhance the state's educational options."

Earlier this year, the Wisconsin Legislature voted to dramatically expand the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, which provides school vouchers allowing children in low-and middle-income families to attend the private schools of their parents' choice. In addition, the Legislature voted to create a new school choice program in Racine.

SOURCE American Federation for Children

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