All candidates listed below have been recommended by the National Education Association
Joe Biden (D), President
Former Vice President Joe Biden believes, as NEA does, that all students deserve a great public education no matter where they live, what language they speak at home, or how much money their parents have.
Joe has a deep connection to the work of educators and uniquely understands and respects how critical our ESPs are to students’ daily lives. In fact, he was once a school bus driver himself. And with Dr. Jill Biden, an educator and NEA member, as first lady, educators will not only have a friend but also a colleague in the White House.
Senator Warner has served in the U.S. Senate since 2009 and was Governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006. As Governor, and with the help of VEA’s Brighter Future Campaign, he successfully increased funding for Virginia’s public schools by $1.5 billion dollars. He has received an A-rating from the NEA as a supporter of public schools.
Mr. Rashid is an author, human rights activist, and attorney. As a first time Congressional candidate, he believes education is a human right and is committed to ensuring every child in Virginia – regardless of race, gender, or economic background – has a fair, safe, and promising path to success.
Despite being in Congress for only two years, Congresswoman Luria has introduced a Teacher Loan Forgiveness Improvement Act (HR.6825) and secured more than $50 million in DOD aid to support public school districts with more than 20 percent military child enrollment (HR.2740).
Congressman Bobby Scott serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, where he is working to expand access to quality education and workforce training. He recently introduced legislation to support students in response to Coronavirus (HR.6275), and the Rebuild America’s Schools Act (HR. 865).
Congressman McEachin, a long-standing supporter of public education, has consistently amplified the voices of Virginia’s students and public education professionals. Whether it is protecting students’ civil rights, pushing back on harmful Betsy DeVos policies, or securing funding for local schools, he is a friend to education.
Dr. Webb, a first-time candidate for Congress, worked on education policy in the Obama White House, focusing on narrowing the achievement gaps among rural, minority, and economically disadvantaged students. As a Congressman, he hopes to modernize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and focus on educational equity.
Congresswoman Spanberger is fighting in Congress to give every child access to a high-quality public education, and she has opposed any effort to privatize our public education system. She is committed to addressing disparities among underserved populations and making sure education professionals have secure retirements.
While in the Virginia state Senate, Wexton was a strong advocate for public education priorities. Congresswoman Wexton has continued to fight for students. In her first year in Congress she supported record base funding for Title I Schools and Head Start. She is also a co-sponsor of the Student Support Act, which would provide $100 million in grants to states to hire social workers and counselors (HR.4525).
Before serving in Congress, Connolly increased education funding by more than 30 percent as the Chairman of the Fairfax County Board. Since then, Congressman Connolly has supported investing in quality early childhood education, public education, and college access programs.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, teachers in Virginia earn 32.7% less in weekly wages than other (non-teacher) college-educated workers. Virginia’s teacher wage penalty is the worst in the nation.
