OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — An education advocacy group that typically supports Democrats is endorsing Republican Rob McKenna for governor.
Stand for Children Washington said Friday that McKenna was incredibly aligned with the group’s policy goals for students.
Jennifer Vranek is a lifelong Democrat and Stand for Children board member. She admits that she struggled with the decision to back McKenna. But she was impressed with his depth of knowledge and passion about education, saying that he will be a change agent.
Stand for Children previously endorsed Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire in the 2008 election. The group also gave 19 legislative endorsements to Democrats that year, compared to just six for Republicans.
McKenna has said he wants to shrink other areas of state government in order to dedicate more funding to education.
