Betty Castor

FL-Sen (Map)

As a former teacher, President of the University of Florida, Florida Commissioner of Education, and President and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Betty Castor (D) will bring a fantastic education record to the U.S. Senate.

Throughout her career, Castor has been a staunch ally of America's teachers, advocating for improvements in schools, stricter graduation requirements for high school students, and pay increases for teachers across the board. Castor has spoken out against the No Child Left Behind Act, saying that standardized tests should not be used to determine funding for public schools.

Castor will lead the Senate to take measures reducing class size, and to support programs that encourage cooperation between teachers and parents and that promote a culture of learning both at school and in students' homes.

Raised on this page: 2 40
Raised across ActBlue: 1,208 34,186

Erskine Bowles

NC-Sen (Map)

Former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles (D) knows that stronger education is key to a stronger nation. By expanding educational resources, Bowles will strengthen teacher support and provide better opportunities to all our students.

As a Senator, Bowles will promote common sense flexibility in the application of new testing and teacher standards. Bowles will demand that the federal government fully fund Head Start and take steps to improve public schools and retain good teachers, especially in rural areas.

Raised on this page: 2 40
Raised across ActBlue: 993 25,544

Brad Carson

OK-Sen (Map)

As a two-term Congressman, Rep. Brad Carson (D) has a proven record fighting for America's teachers, with an excellent 92% on the National Education Association Congressional Scorecard. Carson sponsored an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to recruit and train 100,000 new teachers over the next seven years, and to reduce class size in grades one through three to eighteen students.

Carson has spoken out against President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act, saying:

This administration has done a remarkably poor job funding the changes the bill requires. School districts have been left with a whole list of unfunded mandates that are currently harming, rather than helping, our schools. Many in Washington should be ashamed of the way they have gone back on their word to America’s school children and educators.

Brad Carson has been an education champion in the House of Representatives, and he needs your support to continue fighting for teachers in the Senate.

Raised on this page: 2 40
Raised across ActBlue: 1,327 49,104

Inez Tenenbaum

SC-Sen (Map)

Superintendent of South Carolina Public Schools Inez Tenenbaum (D) is facing Rep. Jim DeMint (R) for the seat of retiring Sen. Fritz Hollings (D). Under Tenenbaum's leadership, South Carolina students are improving their SAT scores at the fastest rate in the nation, more children are testing ready for school than ever before in the state’s history, and a record number of South Carolina teachers have achieved National Board certification.

DeMint brings to the race a poor 18% on the National Education Association Congressional Scorecard, and little demonstrated commitment to teachers and students.

Raised on this page: 2 40
Raised across ActBlue: 1,132 26,761

Paul Babbitt

AZ-01 (Map)

County Supervisor Paul Babbitt (D) is running a tight race against incumbent Rep. Rick Renzi (R), who has been a rubber stamp for President Bush's misguided education policies, including the No Child Left Behind Act, and who scored a very disappointing 17% on the National Education Association Congressional Scorecard.

Babbitt rejects the undue burdens that No Child Left Behind places on our teachers. He will instead improve American education by demanding that Congress take steps to protect and expand Head Start, recruit more teachers, raise pay to retain veteran teachers, and reduce class size.

Raised on this page: 2 40
Raised across ActBlue: 306 7,764

Brian Higgins

NY-27 (Map)

Brian Higgins (D) will face Nancy Naples (R) for the seat of retiring Rep. Jack Quinn (R). A member first of the Buffalo Common Council and then of the New York Assembly, Higgins also lectures in History and Economics at Buffalo State College.

He has been endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers and the New York State United Teachers (among many other progressive groups), and is a recipient of the Judge John D. Hillary Scholarship Award recognizing his commitment to education and community.

Raised on this page: 2 40
Raised across ActBlue: 411 9,401