Both Major Party Candidates for Pennsylvania Governor Back School Choice

Democrat Onorato and Republican Corbett Pledge to Support Educational Options for Low-Income Families

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Voters in Pennsylvania will have the opportunity to choose between two candidates for governor who publicly support school choice, now that Democratic nominee Dan Onorato has announced his support for private school choice and public charter schools.

According to the American Federation for Children, the nation's leading school choice advocacy organization, having two major party candidates on the ballot with similar views on educational choice is a significant turn of events, especially in a state where the economic downturn has been used as an excuse to deplete funds from a popular scholarship tax credit program that provides educational opportunity to low-income children.

Democrat Onorato, the Allegheny County Executive, will face off against another school choice supporter, Republican State Attorney General Tom Corbett, in the Keystone State's November election.

At a news conference yesterday, Onorato received the endorsement of State Senator Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia)--a former primary opponent and a legislative champion for vouchers and charter schools--and pledged to support Williams' effort to provide opportunity scholarships to low-income children trapped in failing schools. Onorato also pledged to support public charter schools and to strengthen the state's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) private school choice program, which has been cut significantly over the past two years.

Corbett's education platform is built around the notion of protecting the EITC, expanding private school choice, and promoting charter schools.

"We have clearly turned a corner in our country when Pennsylvania voters can select from a Republican candidate and a Democratic candidate who largely agree that private school choice and charter schools should be essential components to an education reform plan," said Kevin P. Chavous, a Federation board member. "We're pleased that in a growing number of states across this country, the debate is no longer about whether we should have school choice, but instead about what is the best way to provide high-quality, accountable school choice programs to disadvantaged children."

"Despite agreement on these issues, both candidates must move forward and continue to highlight the importance of education reform and school choice," said AFC Chairman Betsy DeVos. "Pennsylvania's next governor must make good on his promises to provide educational options for families."

SOURCE American Federation for Children