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DFER LA Congratulates New Representatives Following Special Election Runoff Results

DFER LA endorsed Pat Moore in HD17 & Jeremy Lacombe in HD18; both winning with over 60% of the vote

NEW ORLEANS, LA– Following the results of the special election runoffs across the state last night, Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana’s State Director, Eva Kemp, released the following statement:

“We are excited to congratulate both Jeremy LaCombe and Pat Moore on winning their elections last night,” said Kemp. “Both of these leaders are dedicated to improving public education outcomes for all students in Louisiana and will be valuable additions to the Legislature. We look forward to working with them during this upcoming Regular Session.”

In February, DFER LA endorsed Jeremy Lacombe for the crowded special election race in House District 18. LaCombe finished first in the primary, and won the runoff with 69% of the vote.

DFER LA also supported Pat Moore House District 17. Moore finished first in her primary as well, and won last night with 63% of the vote.

DFER LA’s counterpart, Education Reform Now Advocacy, a 501c4 organization, also ran independent expenditure campaigns in both races.

Detailed results of all elections held yesterday can be viewed here on the Secretary of State’s website.

“At DFER, we believe that elected leaders hold the power to make the changes needed to ensure that students are put first when policies in education are made. We are committed and proud to support the candidates who won their elections throughout this special election cycle, and we look forward to working with them in the Legislature,” said Kemp. “As the fall 2019 election cycle draws near, DFER LA looks forward to supporting more progressive leaders who champion Louisiana’s public schools, families and students.”

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Contact: Leslie Leavoy; leslie@dfer.org

As a lifelong advocate for educational equity, I found the March 7 op-ed Democrats Have Taken Over Education Reform misleading and irresponsible.

Let’s be clear: The Trump education agenda is harmful to our nation’s most vulnerable students. The President has sought to undo policies that are helping millions of students receive a better education—weakening accountability measures; supporting crony-capitalism by predatory for-profit colleges; and rolling back civil rights.

Counter to the authors’ claims, most voters across both parties are also at odds with the President’s stance on immigration, taxes and gun control. This is not a Democratic agenda; it’s a mainstream agenda. That’s why we saw Democrats—including Democratic education reformers—win handily at every level of government in 2018.

As for education reform, it is alive and well. Nearly all states have maintained higher academic standards and public school choice continues to be in high demand, particularly in communities of color where the creation of new high-quality public school choices have empowered families to decide what’s best for their children. Democrats are the predominant party in the vast majority of school districts with the largest numbers and concentrations of charter school students.

The education reform movement exists because thousands of students across our country—particularly students of color and students from low-income families—have been denied an equitable education. Supporting what’s best for children shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but under an Administration that has actively worked against equity, it’s more important than ever that Democrats fight for our children.

–Shavar Jeffries, President, Democrats for Education Reform

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