NPR Story: Teachers Run in Ohio
Democratic party officials said the influx of teacher-candidates was a reaction to cuts to education funding and to Senate Bill 5, which would have sharply limited collective bargaining rights for teachers and other public employees had unions not waged a successful campaign to repeal it:
“State budget cuts and the unfair attacks in SB 5 have put educators and our children’s education directly in the crosshairs of the Republican’s anti-middle class agenda and teachers are standing up, fighting back and getting involved,” said [House Democratic Caucus Campaign Co-Chair State Rep. Debbie] Phillip. “We are very excited to have so many great teachers running for office. They are trusted and well known in their communities, which are two key components of electoral success.”
On Wednesday night, party officials were still waiting on a final count of teacher-candidates, but the candidates include at least two candidates who have served as high school government or social studies teachers: Cleveland teacher Todd LeVeck (who primarily teaches computer science) is running against Rep. Nan Baker in the 16th district. And Cleveland Heights teacher Tom Schmida is running against Rep. Kristina Roegner in the 37th district.
The 2002 Ohio Teacher of the Year, Maureen Reedy, now a “curriculum specialist” in the Upper Arlington school district, is also running for an open seat in the 24th district.
