OnPolitics: These PACs are funding 'parents rights' candidates in school board races
Happy Monday, OnPolitics readers! It's Amy here with today's top stories out of Washington.
Across the country, new right-leaning political action committees are pouring money into school board races, aiming to flip control of who governs schools in favor of "parents rights" advocates in a way that rivals the role that teachers unions have historically had in these contests.
For much less than what it would cost them to influence a seat in the House or Senate, these PACs are putting thousands of dollars at a time – sometimes just hundreds – into races for local school boards and as a result, changing education on a national scale.
🍎 Which PAC is the most influential? A super PAC called the 1776 Project PAC is leading the way, emphasizing opposition to lessons related to racial and social justice.
With a war chest smaller than what some congressional candidates in competitive districts are raising, the group has supported and opposed school board candidates in a dozen states.
The group's main focus has been to ban the teaching of what they call critical race theory — a graduate-level legal theory that is not taught in public schools — but in reality, the group targets almost any teaching about racism and diversity. The group also dabbles in attacking topics related to transgender rights.
🍏 How much money have they raised? Half of the money the 1776 Project PAC has raised – $1.5 million out of $3 million – came from people giving less than $200, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Ryan Girdusky, the group’s founder, pointed to the more than 40,000 people who have donated to his PAC. Read more on what it means for classrooms.
We're answering your questions
Do you have questions about voting or the Nov. 8 midterm elections? We're listening, and we're here to answer with our reporting.
Ask: Share your questions in the form found here.
ICYMI: We have election resources on voting rights and access in each state, early voting and absentee voting in each state.
Real quick: stories you'll want to read
DOJ outlines charges for Chinese nationals' investigation interference: Justice Department officials unsealed charges Monday against 13 Chinese operatives involved in three separate influence campaigns, including two intelligence officers accused in a brazen attempt to obstruct a federal criminal investigation into the Chinese-based telecommunications company Huawei.
🍑Will this Georgia 'election integrity' law hurt voter turnout? Despite widespread concerns that a controversial new law would deter many Georgia residents from casting ballots, voter turnout in the May primary rose across every category of race, gender and geography, an analysis by the USA TODAY Network found. Will the same will happen in November?
Inflation, fatigue could keep crucial Warnock voters at home: Democrats can't afford to have voters sitting on the sidelines as Sen. Raphael Warnock looks to re-create the coalition that helped flip the Peach State blue two years ago and hand Democrats control of the Senate. But to win this time, Warnock must overcome Biden's low approval ratings, stubborn inflation and a looming recession.
Recapping the biggest moments out of last week's debates: It's been one of the busiest weeks for candidate debates, from an escalating face-off between Georgia House rivals to a contentious Senate debate in Florida days later. Here's a look at the biggest moments during last week's round of prominent debates.
🍊DeSantis vs. Crist debate, tonight only! Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Democratic challenger Charlie Crist will face off in their only televised debate this election cycle. Some viewers may study DeSantis in tonight's debate with another race in mind: the 2024 presidential election.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How this super PAC is influencing school board races
