#EDlection2018: In Connecticut Primaries, Acclaimed Teacher Jahana Hayes Handily Wins Democratic Nomination for Congress
EDlection 2018: From coast to coast, 蜜桃影视 is profiling a new education-oriented campaign each week. See all our recent profiles, previews, and reactions at The74Million.org/Election (and watch for our Election Night live blog Nov. 6)
Of the hundreds of educators running for office this year, the best-known is Jahana Hayes. A former National Teacher of the Year, the first-time candidate has gained national attention for waging an impressive campaign to become Connecticut鈥檚 first black congresswoman.
On Tuesday night, she got closer to her goal, dispatching her Democratic primary opponent to win the party鈥檚 nomination in the 5th Congressional District. Former Meriden, Connecticut, mayor Manny Santos, who won the Republican primary, will take on Hayes this fall in a contest in which she is favored.
Connecticut was one of four states to this week, a preliminary to the hotly anticipated 2018 midterms. In Wisconsin, State Superintendent Tony Evers easily won the Democratic primary to face Republican Gov. Scott Walker this fall. The two candidates have already spent months sniping at each other over the issue of education.
In Connecticut, Hayes won a surprisingly large victory against opponent Mary Glassman, a local city official and well-known politico who had been seen as an early favorite in the race. Hayes rode to victory partially on the strength of her background as a former teen mother who escaped poverty to become an acclaimed educator.
Both women ran as progressives, advocating for increased education spending and opposing the policies of U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. The main point of contrast between the two lay in depth of experience. Glassman maintained that years spent in politics made her the more seasoned choice, while Hayes countered that her life struggles qualified her to represent voters from tough cities like her hometown of Waterbury. In a year when novice candidates have made , Hayes won handily, 62 percent to 38 percent.
Santos prevailed in a three-way GOP contest against businessman Rich DuPont and psychologist Ruby Corby O鈥橬eill. Though the 5th District, which contains most of western Connecticut, is seen as the most competitive district in the state, all three Republicans faltered in their fundraising totals, and Santos is seen as a long-shot candidate against Hayes.
Santos has advocated for the repeal of the Common Core State Standards and says that the federal government should play 鈥渘o role鈥 in overseeing local schools.
The Hayes-Santos face-off wasn鈥檛 the only race highlighted on Tuesday. Though Connecticut is one of the most reliably Democratic states in the country, the governor鈥檚 race has been rated as a toss-up by election forecasters on account of Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy鈥檚 striking unpopularity around the state. Malloy is not running again.
Ned Lamont, a wealthy telecommunications entrepreneur, was previously the Democratic nominee for senator in 2006, when he was defeated by incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman. prioritizes fixing the state鈥檚 school funding formula, diversifying the teacher workforce, and promoting STEM in schools. In his victory speech Tuesday night, he proposed in cities and towns across the state so property taxes can be cut.
In prior campaigns, Lamont has touted his experience in Bridgeport鈥檚 Warren Harding High School 鈥 though Joe Ganim, the city鈥檚 mayor and Lamont鈥檚 primary opponent, accused him of exaggerating his service there.
Bob Stefanowski, who managed an upset win in the GOP primary, has vowed to eliminate Connecticut鈥檚 income tax, for public schools. Both men say they will work to bring down the state鈥檚 soaring public pension costs, that have been known to bargain hard over benefits.
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