Federal Elections 2008

Fact Sheet on Issues before the General Assembly

Bill Summaries

Why We're Involved in Politics

Be a Cyberlobbyist

How We Pick Candidates

2006 Recommended
    Candidates

Legislators by School District

DSEA Legislative Priorities

Lobbying Tips

Request a DSEA Grant for Local School Board Elections

JFC

Find Your Polling Place

Glossary of Terms

Political Links

Support for Public Schools

Apply for a DSEA grant to help your local association with School Board elections

Click here to request an example of an application and final report, as well as the DSEA policy regarding this grant opportunity.

Asked Questions about why we're involved in politics

We're involved in politics because education needs public support

The people who sit on school boards, in the Legislature, the governor's office, Congress and the Oval office ultimately determine what happens to us as employees of public institutions. That is why it is so important that we elect people who support public education and are willing to demonstrate that support.

That's also why we have lobbyists in Dover every day the General Assembly is in session.

DSEA is recognized as one of the top lobbying groups in Dover, and NEA has the same reputation in Washington.

DSEA's president, executive director and director of government relations and research work with lawmakers to keep our issues before them. Our legislative contact system and local leader network utilizes over 150 association members from throughout the state who deal directly with their House and Senate legislators back home.

During the past few years, DSEA has made a major effort to educate the legislature about school funding, education reform and school employee salary and benefits issues.

That's also why we have education PACS

PAC's, Political Action Committee accounts, are funds established (under strict guidelines by the federal government) for the sole purpose of helping candidates for public office. Our DSEA and NEA Advocacy Funds for Children and Public Education allow people who have a common interest to pool their resources to help elect Friends of Education. Not many DSEA members can afford to make large individual contributions to candidates, but as a group, we can afford to make a contribution to someone who understands today's conditions, who will listen to our concerns, and who has the same strong desire to deliver the best education system we can.

To make a voluntary payroll deduction or cash contribution to the NEA and DSEA Advocacy funds, see your Association Representative who can provide you with the correct form. Or feel free to e-mail DSEA and we'll mail you a form.

And NEA has made it easier to make contributions through its web site. Just click here.

That's also why we screen and recommend candidates for office

DSEA members make recommendations to members about political candidates.

At the state level, a DSEA screening committee will interview statewide and Congressional candidates. The committee will evaluate these various candidates based on each candidate's position on our legislative objectives as adopted by local association presidents and the DSEA Executive Board. Based upon this evaluation, the screening committee will make a recommendation to the DSEA Executive Board and the executive board will decide whether a candidate should be recommended to our members as a Friend of Education and Education Employees.

At the local level, screening teams (often composed of both teacher and support staff members) do the same for local school board elections and legislative races.

That's also why our members volunteer in the campaigns of recommended candidates for office.

In the 2000 election races, member volunteerism was at an all-time high. DSEA members volunteered for nearly every campaign for state and federal office. They served as campaign managers, fund-raisers, volunteer coordinators, phone callers and door knockers. And, they ran for political offices themselves.

More than 90 percent of recommended candidates for the Legislature won their elections. Our recommended candidate for U.S. Congress, Mike Castle, was also victorious and all of our statewide candidates won also.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. DSEA has, in the past, recommended candidates who do not support us on all issues. Why?
A. Recommendations are made on the basis of the overall voting record of incumbents seeking reelection. We have to look at the voting pattern of each candidate. Some of education's strongest supporters have voted against us on one or two issues.

Q. What can members do if they feel left out of the process, or if they disagree with the DSEA recommendation?

A. State DSEA/Legislative Committee recommendations are made on the basis of recommendations of local screening teams. If a member wants to serve on a local team, it is quite likely that he/she would be able to do so simply by volunteering. If a member disagrees with a local recommendation, he/she should contact the DSEA President. The DSEA Executive Board will hear the complaint, and determine if it has merit.

Q. What about races in which the pro-education candidate is at a decided disadvantage? Aren't we throwing money away?

A. The viability of a campaign is indeed a consideration of local screening teams and of the state Legislative Committee. That is why funding categories were established which allow us to target races in which our support will make a difference - pro-education candidates in tight races, for example - while at the same time demonstrating our support for all pro-education candidates.