2026 Gubernatorial & Federal Endorsements

Who We Support

Gubernatorial Leaders with a Vision for K-12

Incumbent governors and a new class of gubernatorial challengers.

Kathy Hochul (NY — Governor)

kathyhochul.com

Kathy Hochul is the Governor of New York, running for a full second term. Her Back to Basics reading plan requires schools to align early reading instruction with the science of reading and funded training for 20,000 teachers. In October 2026 she opted New York into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit with a commitment that public school students benefit, and she has proposed universal pre-K statewide.

Josh Shapiro (PA — Governor)

joshshapiro.org

Josh Shapiro is the Governor of Pennsylvania, running for a second term. His administration has added more than $3 billion in K-12 funding, including adequacy investments directed to the state's most underfunded districts, and created Pennsylvania's first stipend program for student teachers to help strengthen the teacher pipeline.

Dr. Amy Acton (OH — Governor)

actonforgovernor.com

Dr. Amy Acton is a physician and former Director of the Ohio Department of Health, where she led the state's public health response in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has pledged to continue and expand Ohio's literacy initiatives, fully implement the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan, and raise teacher pay.

Keisha Lance Bottoms (GA — Governor)

keishaforgovernor.com

Keisha Lance Bottoms is the former Mayor of Atlanta and a former senior adviser in the Biden White House, running for Georgia's open governor's seat. She has proposed universal pre-K, a strong focus on literacy and early learning, eliminating the state income tax for teachers to help recruit and retain educators, and a path to free technical and community college for high school graduates.

David Crowley (WI — Governor)

crowleyforwi.com

David Crowley is the Milwaukee County Executive and a former state representative, running for Wisconsin's open governor's seat. His plan calls for new investments in public schools, closing the special education reimbursement gap, universal early childhood education, and expanded apprenticeship and technical training so every student has a path to college, technical school, or a career.

Deb Haaland (NM — Governor)

debhaaland.com

Deb Haaland is the former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, the first Native American to serve in a Cabinet post, and a former member of Congress from New Mexico. Her education plan focuses on early literacy, universal pre-K, and career pathways starting in middle school with expanded career technical education, along with a larger teacher residency program to grow the educator workforce.

Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (AK — Governor)

jktforak.com

Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is a lifelong Alaskan who represented Sitka and rural Southeast Alaska in the state House for a decade. He has pledged to strengthen public school funding and give districts budget certainty by passing school budgets by March, so schools are not forced to lay off teachers while waiting on the state, and to restore programs such as AP courses, electives, and music.

U.S. Senate Challengers

Two newcomers putting education on the agenda.

Juliana Stratton (IL — Senate)

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Juliana Stratton (IL — Senate)

julianastratton.com

The daughter of a Chicago Public Schools teacher, Stratton has spent six years as Illinois' Lieutenant Governor pushing to expand early childhood and K-12 investment, and has been an outspoken defender of Title I funding as Trump has moved to dismantle the Department of Education. She won a crowded primary over sitting U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, and would make Illinois the first state to send an all-woman Senate delegation to Washington.

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James Talarico (TX — Senate)

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James Talarico (TX — Senate)

jamestalarico.com

A Teach For America alum, former public school teacher, and Texas state representative who won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas, Talarico has supported charter schools at the state level and approaches education as someone who has worked in low-income classrooms firsthand. He is open-minded on reform and represents a historic opportunity to elect a strong education voice to the Senate from Texas.

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U.S. House Challengers

Competitive red to blue and open-seat races.

Rebecca Bennett (NJ-07)

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Rebecca Bennett (NJ-07)

rebeccabennettforcongress.com

A former Navy helicopter pilot and healthcare executive with an MBA from Wharton, Bennett has made restoring public school funding a centerpiece of her platform, pledging to reverse cuts to the Department of Education and secure New Jersey's full share of Title I funding. A mom of two girls in New Jersey public schools, she's running to flip one of the nation's most competitive seats, taking on two-term Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in a district Trump carried by just one point.

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Paige Cognetti (PA-08)

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Paige Cognetti (PA-08)

paigeforpa.com

Mayor of Scranton who cleaned up City Hall and restored the city’s finances after near-bankruptcy, Cognetti is a corruption-fighter aligned with public school innovation and pragmatic, outcomes-focused governance. She’s running to flip a seat in Northeastern Pennsylvania that Democrats last held under Matt Cartwright.

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Cait Conley (NY-17)

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Cait Conley (NY-17)

caitconley.com

A 16-year Army combat veteran who later led counterterrorism strategy at the National Security Council and helped safeguard the 2024 election as a senior advisor at CISA, Conley brings a national-security pedigree rare in a first-time candidate. Her platform pairs that record with a cost-of-living focus that includes federal investment in education, as she looks to flip one of only three Republican-held seats nationally that Kamala Harris carried in 2024.

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Pia Dandiya (FL-22)

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Pia Dandiya (FL-22)

piaforcongress.com

A former charter school principal and White House Fellow who founded a high-performing school in Harlem where 100% of graduates earned college admission despite 86% living below the poverty line, Dandiya is the only former school principal running for Congress in 2026. Endorsed by Arne Duncan, she’s running for an open seat in a competitive South Florida district.

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Christina Hines (MI-10)

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Christina Hines (MI-10)

christinahinesforcongress.com

A former special victims prosecutor and lifelong Macomb County resident, Hines was raised in and is now raising her own three children through Warren Woods Public Schools — the same district she credits with the values she brings to this race. She's running for the open seat vacated by gubernatorial candidate John James in one of the cycle's most closely watched flip opportunities.

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Ben McAdams (UT-01)

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Ben McAdams (UT-01)

benmcadams.com

A former congressman who already flipped Utah's 4th District once, McAdams brings a decade of executive experience as Salt Lake County Mayor, including a recent campaign appearance breaking ground on the new West High School in Salt Lake City. He's the clear frontrunner to reclaim Utah's only Democratic-held House seat in a newly drawn, heavily Democratic 1st District.

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JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-06)

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JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-06)

joannamendoza.com

A retired Marine Corps drill instructor and native Arizonan raised in a farmworker family, Mendoza served 20 years in the military before becoming a veteran advocate and congressional staffer. Running to flip one of the top toss-up seats in the country, she’s aligned with DFER’s priorities and has made education a central issue in the race.

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Bobby Pulido (TX-15)

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Bobby Pulido (TX-15)

bobbypulidofortexas.com

A Latin Grammy-winning Tejano artist and son of a migrant farmworker, Pulido studied political science at St. Mary's University before building a three-decade music career and small business, and now brings that same up-from-nothing story to South Texas's border communities. Democrats see him as their best shot yet at flipping a heavily Hispanic district that broke for Trump by 18 points in 2024.

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Amish Shah (AZ-01)

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Amish Shah (AZ-01)

amishforarizona.com

A practicing emergency physician and former Arizona state representative who passed more bills than any Arizona Democrat in the past decade, Shah brings deep policy knowledge and a nuanced, evidence-based approach to expanding access to high-quality charter schools alongside strong accountability.

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Scott Wiener (CA-11)

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Scott Wiener (CA-11)

scottwiener.com

A California state senator running for the San Francisco congressional seat vacated by Nancy Pelosi, Wiener has been a consistent supporter of public charter schools and earned the California Charter Schools Association’s “Elected Official of the Year” award in 2018. His track record of pragmatic, pro-housing and pro-education reform legislation makes him one of the most policy-substantive candidates in the 2026 field.

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U.S. House Incumbents

Democratic incumbents who have prioritized K-12.

Gabe Amo (RI-01)

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Gabe Amo (RI-01)

gabeamo.com/

A first-term congressman and rising Democratic voice, Amo is a consistent supporter of funding for charter schools and has demonstrated a growing interest in expanding high-quality public school options in Rhode Island.

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Sanford Bishop (GA-02)

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Sanford Bishop (GA-02)

sanfordbishop.com

A senior House Democrat and longtime supporter of funding for charter schools, Bishop serves as the Democratic lead on the Charter School Facility bill—making him one of the most substantively active pro-reform members in the House. His continued leadership on school facilities legislation is a key asset for the pro-innovation coalition.

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Brendan Boyle (PA-02)

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Brendan Boyle (PA-02)

voteboyle.com

A longtime supporter of funding for charter schools, Boyle has also done direct constituency work supporting MaST Community Charter School in his Philadelphia-area district.

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Shontel Brown (OH-11)

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Shontel Brown (OH-11)

shontelbrown.com

A consistent supporter of funding for charter schools representing a Northeast Ohio district, Brown has been a reliable vote for pro-innovation education policies. DFER sees her as a foundational member of the pro-reform House coalition.

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André Carson (IN-07)

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André Carson (IN-07)

andrecarson.com

A veteran House Democrat and supporter of funding for charter schools, Carson represents Indianapolis’s core district and has supported charter school funding through the appropriations process. His continued engagement on the Education and Labor Committee makes him a valued pro-reform ally.

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Troy Carter (LA-02)

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Troy Carter (LA-02)

congressmantroycarter.com

One of the most active pro-reform members in the House, Carter is a consistent supporter of funding for charter schools, co-sponsored the Empowering Charter School Educators Act, and serves as a co-lead of the FLEX Act. His legislative record makes him a standout champion in the pro-innovation coalition.

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Ed Case (HI-01)

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Ed Case (HI-01)

edcase.com

A co-sponsor of the Educator Bill and an active reviewer of other charter school legislation, Case uses his position on the House Appropriations Committee to engage on education funding behind the scenes, making him a valuable ally.

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Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05)

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Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05)

cleaver4congress.com

A senior House Democrat and a leading supporter of funding for charter schools, Cleaver is one of the most active pro-reform voices in the House.

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Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34)

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Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34)

vicentegonzalez.com

Representing a heavily Hispanic South Texas district, Gonzalez has been a consistent supporter of funding for charter schools and is a key pro-reform vote in a district where access to high-quality public school options is a pressing concern.

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Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08)

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Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08)

kristenmcdonaldrivet.com

A first-term congresswoman in a competitive Michigan district, McDonald Rivet has quickly established herself as a consistent champion for education reform and one of the most promising pro-reform members of her class.

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Gregory Meeks (NY-05)

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Gregory Meeks (NY-05)

congressmangregorymeeks.com

A senior House Democrat and supporter of funding for charter schools, Meeks represents a Queens district with significant charter school enrollment and a strong track record of engagement on education funding. His seniority and relationships make him a valuable presence in the pro-reform coalition.

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Nellie Pou (NJ-09)

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Nellie Pou (NJ-09)

nelliepoufornewjersey.com

A first-term congresswoman representing one of the most competitive seats in the country, Pou has visited a KIPP school in her district and is exploring co-sponsoring charter school legislation. She has meaningful potential to become an even stronger reform champion.

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Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05)

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Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05)

josh4jersey.com

Co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and a consistent supporter of funding for charter schools, Gottheimer represents a competitive North Jersey district and is one of the most pragmatic, deal-oriented Democrats in the House. His cross-aisle relationships make him an effective advocate for evidence-based education reform.

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Josh Harder (CA-09)

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Josh Harder (CA-09)

harderforcongress.com

A co-sponsor of the Educator Bill and a frontline Democrat in the Central Valley, Harder has demonstrated genuine commitment to policies that expand educator-led innovation and charter school quality.

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Jahana Hayes (CT-05)

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Jahana Hayes (CT-05)

jahanahayes.com

One of the most credible education voices among House Democrats, Hayes has been a consistent supporter of funding for charter schools and a key partner on the Education Committee.

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Steven Horsford (NV-04)

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Steven Horsford (NV-04)

stevenhorsford.com

A consistent supporter of funding for charter schools and a frontline Democrat in a competitive Las Vegas-area district, Horsford has been a reliable pro-reform vote and a dependable champion for students.

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Zoe Lofgren (CA-18)

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Zoe Lofgren (CA-18)

zoelofgren.com

A senior California Democrat and a longtime leader in the House on funding for charter schools, Lofgren has anchored pro-reform education efforts in Congress for years. Her long tenure on key committees makes her indispensable to the pro-reform coalition.

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Lucy McBath (GA-06)

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Lucy McBath (GA-06)

lucyforcongress.com

A consistent supporter of funding for charter schools representing a competitive Atlanta suburban district, McBath has built a reputation as a thoughtful, constituents-first legislator. DFER views her as a key member of the pro-reform caucus in a district where education quality is a top voter priority.

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Raul Ruiz (CA-25)

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Raul Ruiz (CA-25)

drraulruiz.com

Ruiz has co-sponsored the Educator Bill and is a supporter of funding for charter schools, demonstrating consistent engagement with DFER’s legislative priorities. His Inland Empire district includes communities where charter schools have been transformative for low-income students.

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Jill Tokuda (HI-02)

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Jill Tokuda (HI-02)

tokudaforhawaii.com

One of the most pro-reform members in the House, Tokuda is a supporter of funding for charter schools, led the Educator Bill, and co-sponsored two additional charter school bills in the current Congress. Her legislative breadth on education issues makes her a standout champion and key DFER ally.

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Ritchie Torres (NY-15)

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Ritchie Torres (NY-15)

torres.nyc

A Bronx native and one of the most vocal pro-charter voices in the House Democratic caucus, Torres has been a consistent and outspoken champion for expanding high-quality public school options in underserved communities.

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2026 Gubernatorial & Federal Endorsements

Who We Support

Gubernatorial Leaders with a Vision for K-12

Kathy Hochul (NY — Governor)

Josh Shapiro (PA — Governor)

Dr. Amy Acton (OH — Governor)

Keisha Lance Bottoms (GA — Governor)

David Crowley (WI — Governor)

Deb Haaland (NM — Governor)

Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (AK — Governor)

U.S. Senate Challengers

Juliana Stratton (IL — Senate)

James Talarico (TX — Senate)

U.S. House Challengers

Rebecca Bennett (NJ-07)

Paige Cognetti (PA-08)

Cait Conley (NY-17)

Pia Dandiya (FL-22)

Christina Hines (MI-10)

Ben McAdams (UT-01)

JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-06)

Bobby Pulido (TX-15)

Amish Shah (AZ-01)

Scott Wiener (CA-11)

U.S. House Incumbents

Gabe Amo (RI-01)

Sanford Bishop (GA-02)

Brendan Boyle (PA-02)

Shontel Brown (OH-11)

André Carson (IN-07)

Troy Carter (LA-02)

Ed Case (HI-01)

Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05)

Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34)

Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08)

Gregory Meeks (NY-05)

Nellie Pou (NJ-09)

Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05)

Josh Harder (CA-09)

Jahana Hayes (CT-05)

Steven Horsford (NV-04)

Zoe Lofgren (CA-18)

Lucy McBath (GA-06)

Raul Ruiz (CA-25)

Jill Tokuda (HI-02)

Ritchie Torres (NY-15)

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