Public education wins big in school board, levy elections
Education Minnesota’s political action committee—funded by $30 member contributions, separate from dues—is one of the union’s most powerful tools to bring educator voices into state and local politics. The PAC uses these contributions to build political power through supporting pro-public education, pro-labor candidates and elected officials at the state and local level.
In recent years, the PAC has bolstered its support in local elections, specifically for school board and levy campaigns. PAC contributions provide targeted locals with stipends and resources to support their endorsed candidates through direct mail, phone banking and other forms of voter outreach.
This increase in support resulted in some of our most successful win rates in recent years. In 2025, Education Minnesota members endorsed candidates in 47 school board races. Of those 47, 44 of our endorsed candidates won — a win rate of 94%. In one Anoka-Hennepin school board race, our endorsed candidate, Jeff Simon, won by 87 votes.
Education Minnesota members saw similar success rates in many levy referenda. Of the 51 referenda campaigns that the PAC assisted with, 39 passed their levy, resulting in a 76% win rate — our highest success in levy passage since 2019. In many districts, including Annandale, Crosby-Ironton, Wheaton and Farmington, levy referenda finally passed after several failed attempts.
These successful election results make it clear that Minnesota voters value public education and the candidates who support it. They demonstrate the power of solidarity — all of these races would not have been won without both the PAC contributions from members across the state and the hard work of member volunteers to make calls, knock doors and connect with their communities about the value of pro-public education leaders.
Education Minnesota looks forward to bringing this momentum into the 2026 election season. To stay up to date on election information, visit edmnvotes.org.
