Whether we like it or not, every decision about education—from school funding and academic standards to educator pay and certification requirements—is a political decision made by elected officials. It’s challenging to think of many other professions in which who’s elected to office matters more.

We cannot watch from the sidelines — we need every educator to climb down from the bleachers and get into the game to help our students succeed.

It is critical for our profession, our students and our own families that we send Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to the White House, elect Elissa Slotkin to the U.S. Senate, and keep our pro-educator majority in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Because of the hard work of MEA members, we elected Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2018, who passed numerous record education budgets. In 2020, we helped elect President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, leading to a massive investment in Michigan’s public schools thanks to the American Rescue Plan. We kept up the momentum in 2022, when we helped re-elect Whitmer AND elect the first pro-public education Legislature in 40 years.

Elections have consequences. Our state’s Democratic trifecta has passed record school budgets, adopted free universal school meals for every student, restored collective bargaining rights for educators and more.

But the game is far from over. We’ve seen what can happen when anti-educator politicians grab control of power. We can’t go back.

So from now through Nov. 5, it’s game on to maintain our momentum. Please visit MEAVotes.org to make a one-time or recurring donation to MEA-PAC, view a list of MEA-recommended candidates in your area, and learn how to volunteer as we march to victory.

In Solidarity Always,

Chandra Madafferi, MEA President and CEO

Brett Smith, MEA Vice President

Aaron Eling, MEA Secretary-Treasurer