LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Better Schools Kentucky, the political action committee of the Jefferson County Teachers Association, has endorsed James Craig and Corrie Shull in their campaigns for the Jefferson County Board of Education.
The PAC made its endorsements late Wednesday, JCTA President Brent McKim told WDRB News.
Craig, an attorney and former chairman of the Metro Sewer District, is running to replace board member Steph Horne in District 3 while Shull, senior pastor at Burnett Avenue Baptist Church, hopes to fill the District 6 seat held by board member Lisa Willner, the Democratic nominee in the 35th House District contest.
Both are among four candidates in each race. Board Chairwoman Diane Porter and board member Linda Duncan are unopposed.
McKim, who is not a member of the committee that decided the endorsements but attended Wednesday’s meeting, said Craig and Shull demonstrated a passion for students, unequivocally supported local control for Jefferson County Public Schools and showed a genuine interest in the district’s schools and stakeholders.
“I think they were impressed that he (Craig) had public policy experience from his service on the MSD board, so I think they felt like he could hit the ground running and be an effective school board member,” McKim said.
“In the case of Corrie Shull, I think an added bonus is it helps our board have diversity and resemble the student body of the school district,” he added.
Craig said he's excited about the endorsement and the support he's received from JCPS teachers.
"It's an endorsement that I wanted," he told WDRB News on Thursday. "I'm going to have our students' and teachers' best interests at the front of my mind with every vote and every policy discussion, and I'm thankful that they think that I am up to the task and the best person for the job."
For Shull, the endorsement "makes a statement that teachers see me as an ally in their fight to improve JCPS and in their quest to do their job with excellence."
If elected, Shull said he would support deep and rich approaches to teaching, explore best practices in educating students and stand with JCPS teachers against attempts to undermine their ability to negotiate labor agreements.
"I'm, as you might suspect, incredibly delighted that the teachers of Jefferson County Public Schools would have confidence in me to champion their cause," he said. "I'm really excited to begin work partnering with them to improve JCPS."
Candidates endorsed by Better Schools Kentucky have fared well in recent school board races. McKim said only one candidate backed by the PAC has lost in the three previous election cycles.
The endorsements could also mean big bucks. The PAC has spent considerable sums in recent election cycles to boost their preferred candidates. Campaign finance records show Better Schools Kentucky spent $839,025 in 2016, including contributions in state legislative races and a hefty $400,000 check to the Democratic super PAC Kentucky Family Values.
The PAC had nearly $1.4 million on hand as of June 30, according to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.
In all, eight candidates are running for seats currently held by board members not running for re-election. One former candidate, Worthington Hills Mayor Glenn Sea, withdrew because he does not reside in District 3.
Reach reporter Kevin Wheatley at 502-585-0838 and kwheatley@wdrb.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevinWheatleyKY.
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