Article courtesy of MIRS for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog newsletter
The Michigan Education Association (MEA) hit the pause button on making an endorsement in the gubernatorial race Tuesday after members of its screening committee were unable to reach a consensus.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson each accepted the MEA’s invitation to participate in its interview process this past Saturday before a roughly 25-member MEA panel. Each candidate left an impression on parts of the group.
Specific members had strong opinions on each of the candidates to the point where a vote wasn’t taken. Spokesperson Doug Pratt said it was clear a consensus wasn’t going to be reached at this point in time.
The MEA’s Statewide Screening and Recommendation Committee may come back at another time and revisit the endorsement question. In the meantime, MEA officials said they look forward to continue talking with the gubernatorial candidates running for governor – and every other office – as they work “to strengthen our neighborhood schools, improve student outcomes and raise the standard of living for teachers, education support professionals and higher-education faculty and staff throughout Michigan.”
Republicans were also invited to participate in the MEA endorsement process, but they declined.
MIRS couldn’t find any evidence that the MEA endorsed any candidate other than a Democrat in at least the last 40 years.
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