Citing Record of Bipartisanship and Support for Teacher Pay Raises, Edmondson Receives OEA Endorsement

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 11, 2018 – Drew Edmondson received a powerful bipartisan endorsement today, as the Oklahoma Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education (OEA) officially endorsed him in the race for governor.

The group cited Edmondson’s bipartisan leadership, his classroom experience and his support for the teacher pay raise plan that passed as a result of the teacher walkout last April.

“Drew has supported public education every day of his career, beginning when he taught for Muskogee Public Schools,” said Alicia Priest, OEA President. “Most importantly, Drew is the only candidate who has an actual plan to increase funding for Oklahoma’s schools.”

Edmondson opposes raising the income tax on Oklahoma families. To increase funding for education, health care, services for veterans and other core services, he has advocated for restoring the gross production tax on oil and gas to its previous rate of seven percent. He has also called for eliminating the capital gains loophole for millionaires and adding .50 per pack to the price of cigarettes, which will help keep kids from smoking.

“Drew Edmondson stood with educators every day of the walkout, and he supported HB 1010xx,” Priest said. “Kevin Stitt said as governor he would not have signed it. We need a leader who can help both Republicans and Democrats find new bipartisan agreements in the coming legislative session. That leader is Drew Edmondson.”

OEA has 25,000 members, including 18,000 classroom teachers, in communities across Oklahoma. Members of the group come from all political parties, including Republicans, Democrats, Independents and Libertarians.

“It’s time to set partisanship aside and do what’s right for our kids. People of all political parties recognize the importance of public education and the critical impact it will have on our state’s future,” Edmondson said. “Public education will be my top priority in the governor’s office. I am proud to have this endorsement and the support of teachers and parents throughout the state.”

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