Teachers union makes picks in state legislative races
NEWTOWN » A statewide teachers union has made its recommendations for candidates in this year’s state House and Senate races.
The Pennsylvania State Education Association’s Political Action Committee for Education (PSEA-PACE) for the Southeast region formally put itsr support behind state Sen. Tom McGarrigle, R-26 of Springfield, and state Reps. Alex Charlton, R-165 of Springfield, and Chris Quinn, R-168 of Middletown, during a press conference at Marple Newtown High School Thursday afternoon.
The three incumbent GOP legislators gave thanks to the organization and local educators who supported them for the upcoming Nov. 6 general election.
“To have the privilege and the honor of having their endorsement means so much to me,” said McGarrigle. “It’s not always easy to get the votes you need to bring the money in to education; it’s always a fight, but we think it’s a fight worth fighting for every single day.”
Charlton, a father of three including two schoolaged girls, said he can’t have kids growing up without good teachers helping them along the way and he wants to keep passing legislation that benefits students and teachers.
As parents and teachers, Quinn noted, is to be able to pass on what they’ve had to the next generation.
“That’s why I support the families and teachers of Pennsylvania,” he said. “I really just want to say thank you and it’s an honor.”
In a prepared statement, PSEA Southeast Region President Korri Brown said the legislators that they understand the issues and “have been leaders in the Legislature in working to ensure that our schools are safe and properly funded.”
The lawmakers were applauded for passing budgets that increased education funding, adding $60 million in safe school grants and, for McGarrigle, authoring legislation that would change the graduation Keystone Exam requirements.
In addition to McGarrigle, Quinn and Charlton, incumbents from Delaware County fared well with state Reps. Brian Kirkland, D-159 of Chester, Leanne KruegerBraneky, D-161 of Nether Providence, and Jamie Santora, R-163 of Upper Darby, earning recommendations. An open seat in House District 162, currently held by outgoing Rep. Nick Miccarelli of Ridley Park, had Democrat Dave Delloso also earning a recommendation from the union over Republican Mary Hopper.
Forty candidates were interviewed for the recommendations from January through August which included completion of a 20page questionnaire.