The state’s largest teachers’ union is asking Iowans to check the education credentials of candidates before going to the polls November fifth. Iowa State Education Association President John Hieronymus says they’re pushing education as the top issue in this fall’s elections.He says Iowans should look at the candidates and vote for those who’ll fight for things that’ll improve student achievement — like smaller classes, quality teachers, adequate resources and early childhood education. The I-S-E-A has released a list of 102 “recommended candidates.” Only eight of the candidates are republicans, but Hieronymus says that’s not an indication the group leans toward democrats. He says they worked hard to make the process bipartisan and interviewed the candidates on the issues the group sees as important. He says there are several issues that’re important for a candidate to gain I-S-E-A support.Those issues include support of smaller class sizes, support for access to up-to-date textbooks, resources and technology. The I-S-E-A is launching a statewide radio campaign to try and get people to ask candidates questions about education.The I-S-E-A list of recommended candidates includes democrats Tom Vilsack for governor, Tom Harkin for Senate, Leonard Boswell, Ann Hutchinson and John Norris in the U-S House District. Jim Leach was the only republican congressional candidate to get the I-S-E-A nod. Among state candidates, the I-S-E-A recommends 22 democrats in the senate, 67 democrats and seven republicans in the House.
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