Virginia's governor race shows America's school choice moment has finally arrived

FEE’s Hannah Cox writes, “For months, all eyes have been on the Virginia governor's race as both Democrats and Republicans saw it as a battleground for things to come. As it turned out, Republican Glenn Youngkin easily won the seat in a state that Joe Biden carried by over 10 points not even a year ago.

While Democrats attempted to make this election about Donald Trump, Youngkin took a decidedly different approach—focusing heavily on education and the issues that have animated parents across the country during the pandemic.

From fringe issue to 'main character' policy status, school choice had the biggest glow-up of the decade. Everyone that put their own power (unions, admins, politicians) over educational outcomes ought to officially be on notice from here on out. By me:https://t.co/ZLStSSSV7y

— Hannah Cox (@HannahDCox) November 4, 2021

In contrast, Youngkin’s opponent, Democrat Terry McAuliffe, elevated teacher’s unions, supported vaccine mandates for children, and sided with those who’ve pushed lockdowns and masking on schools as well. He even went so far in a debate as to say parents should not be making decisions on their children’s education when asked about controversies over curricula including critical race theory and sexually-explicit materials…

Families have endured almost two years of pandemic policy, with those with school-age children arguably suffering the most. Parents have had to scramble to school their children at home, rearrange work schedules, and deal with the growing anxiety and mental health issues their kids are facing as a result.

Parents have also gotten to see firsthand what’s actually going on in their children’s classrooms during this time, and many have not been pleased.

Unsurprisingly, these stances did not sit well with voters.”

Read the entire column.