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Education Law

: Edjurist

Upset with Schools? Run for Governor!

By Justin Bathon

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I always like these stories. Two teachers in Montana have filed papers to run for Governor and Lt. Governor. Here is their campaign website. The candidate for Governor, Don Progreba, runs an educational blog at Intelligent Discontent and publishes under the name Pogie (this should help is Technorati rating if nothing else).

Now, I am not too familiar with Montana Democratic politics (I would make some remark here about the nonexistent Democratic party in Montana, but that is simply not the case anymore with a sitting Democratic governor and two Democratic Senators) so I don't know their chance of success, but from the stories out there on it, their chances of victory in the Democratic primary seem pretty small as they are facing off against the sitting Democratic governor, who is seeking reelection. But, even with slim chances, there is something to be said for the pulpit that a campaign can generate. Not only can these guys shed some light on educational issues they think are important, but they can force their rivals to also speak about education. In fact, that seems to be the main purpose:

Pogreba and Neiffer, who teach at Helena High School and Capital High School respectively, have said they are running to ensure a substantive discussion takes place in the Democratic Party about education.

They are not, after all, taking off from their educational careers. Their campaign website says this:

Remember, we cannot answer e-mails or work on any campaign issues between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. most weekdays. We will return your call or e-mail as soon as possible, though.

But, just by running, they can make education a central issue in this campaign. Even if they lose to the sitting Democratic governor in the primary, their run will force the Governor to generate educational talking points, talking points which are likely to carry over into the general and even into his 2nd term. This has real value. There may be no better way for educators (who don't have a lot of money or influence) to catch the ear of a governor than to challenge that governor in a primary. No matter how slim these teachers' chances are, the current Schweitzer administration is going to listen to what they have to say - and listen closely.

So, bravo Mr. Don Pogreba and Mr. Jason Neiffer and best wishes (and have fun). You may not win, but you are going to help the schools in your state either way ... and who knows ... you just never know when a scandal is going to hit ... I think a couple other sitting (well used to be sitting) Democratic governors can testify to that.

Full post as published by Edjurist on March 23, 2008 (boomark / email).