Conservative education activists rally in Simi Valley ahead of GOP debate
Conservative education activists from across the state gathered at a park in Simi Valley Tuesday evening to try and catch some of the national attention brought to town by the Republican presidential debate being held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum Wednesday night.
A couple hundred adults and scattering of children — many representing national conservative groups like Moms for Liberty and Turning Point Faith as well as local groups such as Newbury Park-based PERK — gathered around a star-spangled balloon arch in Rancho Madera Community Park as a cast of speakers took turns on stage.
Several speakers, including Chino Valley Unified School District board president Sonja Shaw and activist Lusine Kirakosyan, have ties to ongoing conservative protests around the state over how public schools care for LGBTQ+ students.
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Lance Christensen, a vice president at the nonprofit California Policy Center and event emcee, said the group scheduled the event to coincide with the presidential debate.
Christensen, who lost last year's election for state education superintendent and, according to his website, plans to run in 2026, said the debate was a "perfect opportunity" for the group to get its message out.
Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools. You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Conservative education activists rally in Simi ahead of debate
