Protecting failing schools and supporting teachers unions is not a winnable strategy, CEO warns

Democrats’ reliance on teachers union support and allegiance to underperforming public school systems is a losing political strategy, according to Tommy Schultz, CEO of the conservative advocacy group American Federation for Children (AFC)."At the end of the day, when you look at the long-term trends here for the teachers unions, they're in a pickle because more and more folks are listening to the politicians that have a vibrant education agenda," Schultz told Fox News Digital."And they aren't just saying, 'We want to block all possible options,' because the unions really don't have an agenda other than, 'We want to keep your kids forced to go to the schools that we run and control,'" Schultz added."It's not a winning message at the end of the day."MEMBER OF LARGEST TEACHERS UNION IN US CLAIMS ORG IS 'NO LONGER FOCUSED ON CHILDREN,' ONLY 'POLITICAL POWER'American Federation for Children CEO Tommy Schultz told Fox News Digital that his organization is fighting to defeat candidates who oppose school choice ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

(iStock)Teachers unions consistently oppose many school choice initiatives supported by advocacy organizations like the AFC.They argue that programs such as vouchers and education savings accounts siphon taxpayer funds away from public schools.

Union leaders maintain those dollars should instead be directed toward boosting teacher salaries, recruiting staff, and upgrading public school facilities.Democratic candidates in gubernatorial, congressional, and state legislative races routinely back education platforms aligned with teachers unions.Financial analyses indicate the nation's two largest teachers unions — the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) — have spent hundreds of millions of dollars into political activism, lobbying, and progressive advocacy over the past decade.While the NEA and AFT rank among the largest financial contributors to Democratic campaigns, both organ...