The Fake Champions of School Choice 

The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted the ideological chasm dividing Democrats over a single issue: education.  

Matt Barnum of the Journal writes,  

An insurgent faction of Democrats—including some elected officials and parents, nonprofit executives and wealthy donors—says the party has lost its way on education, as test scores have declined and Republicans have made the issue their own. These Democrats are pushing ideas more often advanced by conservatives, including accountability for test scores or alternatives to public schools. 

Notable members of this “insurgent faction” include former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Colorado Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, according to Barnum.  

While this movement toward educational choice represents a positive development, claiming these Democrats are champions of the cause is premature. Rather than embracing genuine reforms that benefit students and families alike, too many of these prodigal politicos default to towing the party line. 

Josh Shapiro 

In 2023, Governor Shapiro made political waves while appearing on Fox News. He voiced his support for Lifeline Scholarships, a proposal that would have provided educational savings accounts for students attending Pennsylvania’s lowest-performing schools.  

“I’ve been very clear that I’m open to that concept,” said Shapiro, emphasizing the importance of a high-quality education for “every child of God.” 

As Maury Povich famously said, “That was a lie.” 

About a month later, Pennsylvania lawmakers handed the governor a budget that included Lifeline Scholarships. But Shapiro vetoed it. After taking political flak from the progressive wing of his party and teacher unions, the Pennsylvania governor caved to the pressure.  

So much for being “open to the concept.” 

Since then, Shapiro has appeared to be more of an opponent of school choice. His 2025–26 budget proposal slashes funding to cyber charter schools by 64 percent.  

Mayor Pete 

When asked what he would have done differently during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pete Buttigieg responded, “For the love of God, figure out a way to get the schools open sooner.” 

During his presidential run, Buttigieg showcased what made him unique in a field of candidates who have long opposed school choice. He notably broke with his peers on the topic of charter schools, often a sore subject for Democrats. The former South Bend mayor said charter schools serve as “a laboratory for techniques that can be replicated.” 

However, that was his only difference with a field of candidates that included wildly progressive ideologues, such as Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren—both of whom not only oppose charter schools but also fight tooth and nail to block educational reforms.   

Buttigieg also earned the praise of teacher unions that strive to maintain the status quo. The American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten—not exactly a persona associated with educational reform—strongly endorsed his education plan. 

Mayor Pete still has a long way to go when it comes to educational choice. 

Jared Polis 

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis often finds himself at odds with his fellow Democrats, particularly on education.  

A lifelong advocate for charter schools, Polis opened several of his own before entering politics. Also, he was the only congressional Democrat to challenge changes to the federal government’s grant program for start-up charter schools. As governor, he sided with Republicans when his fellow Democrats tried to impose heavy restrictions on charter schools.  

But Polis stops short of helping students find educational options outside of the public sphere. He opposes educational savings accounts or refundable tax credits that help low-income students find educational alternatives, claiming such programs provide “no accountability” for private schools receiving taxpayer money. 

Yet, the Colorado governor’s signature legislative accomplishment—signing universal preschool into law—reveals his ideological inconsistency. Polis’s program provides 15 hours per week of free preschool, including 60 faith-based programs throughout the state. 

For Polis, school choice is good enough for preschool but not for K–12. 

Democrats’ Future Depends on School Choice 

Polis, Shapiro, and other blue-state governors will face a partisan dilemma next year. Hidden inside President Donald Trump’s recently passed “Big, Beautiful Bill” is the Education Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a first-of-its-kind national private school voucher program. ECCA enables individuals to make tax-deductible donations (up to $1,700) to scholarship organizations. The organizations will offer dollar-for-dollar donations for students seeking to escape their local failing public schools.  

But before students can benefit from the program, governors must opt in.  

“It’s a tough dilemma,” writes Michael Petrilli in The Wall Street Journal. “Will Democratic leaders opt their states into the new federal school choice program, allowing families to accept scholarships that are funded by charitable donations from taxpayers nationwide—scholarships that don’t cost their state a penny, and therefore can’t be said to be taking any money from their public schools?” 

If they know what’s good for them, Democrat governors must opt into the ECCA because anything less will cost them electorally.  

Virginia’s 2021 gubernatorial election highlighted these political risks. Going into the election, Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin were in a dead heat. However, during a televised debate, McAuliffe said, “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.” Ultimately, this anti-choice gaffe cost McAuliffe the election. Youngkin eked out a 2-points victory.  

If Democrats want to mount a political comeback, they must recalibrate and embrace educational choice. Poll after poll after poll reveals an overwhelming frustration with the current state of education and bipartisan support for educational choice. 

Aside from its political expedience, educational choice supports the marginalized and impoverished communities that Democrats purportedly champion.  

“We’ve also alienated the very families we claim to represent,” writes Democrats for Education Reform. “It’s time to change that. It’s time for the Left to come to the school choice table, not to dismantle public education, but to help reinvent it for a new era.” 

Educational choice presents Democrats with the opportunity to reinvent themselves. More importantly, it creates new educational opportunities for students and families nationwide, securing a prosperous future for the next generation.