An important part of movement building

As usual this time of year, there's a debate about the value of taking the struggle to save our schools into the electoral arena. Some see it as a diversion. I see it as walking on two legs. Why is it important for educators and ed activists to support progressive candidates? Here's one reason why.

State Rep. Cynthia Soto (D-Chicago), chair of the task force, has proposed HB 4487, which would bring all closings, consolidations and phase-outs on facilities to a screeching halt through the 2012-2013 school year. Previous proposals for a closings moratorium in Chicago have failed. -- Catalyst

There's three other young, progressive candidates running for office in the Chicago area who've taken good stands in defense of teachers and of public education. Rudy Lozano, Jr. is running for State Rep. in the 21st Dist. of Illinois. Ilya Sheyman is running for congress in the 10th Cong. Dist. And Will Guzzardi is running for state rep of the 39th District. 

No Super-PACs behind these three. But all three are running winnable campaigns and deserve community support.