OEA endorses Kitzhaber for Governor | OregonLive.com

OEA endorses Kitzhaber for Governor | OregonLive.com

OEA endorses Kitzhaber for Governor

Published: Monday, July 12, 2010, 5:40 PM Updated: Monday, July 12, 2010, 5:58 PM

Jessica Van Berkel, The Oregonian
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The Oregon Education Association endorsed John Kitzhaber, the Democratic candidate for Governor, on Monday.

"Kitzhaber understands that our schools are the cornerstone of our democracy and the lynchpin to our long-term, economic health," OEA President Gail Rasmussen said in a statement. The union represents 48,000 Oregon teachers, faculty members, school staff and retirees.

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The OEA's political action committee, People for Improvement of Education, sat down with the former governor and asked questions before determining his experience and history of supporting Oregon public schools made him the best candidate, spokeswoman Becca Uherbelau said.

But LeRoy Coleman, a spokesman for Republican Chris Dudley's campaign, said the state of Oregon schools is a sign of Kitzhaber's failed education policies.

"John Kitzhaber did nothing to stabilize funding for our schools, and now many are forced to make tough decisions during this economic downturn, such as laying teachers off and cutting school