An Ed Reform Gov in a Blue State?
For the past few decades, we often talk about who the latest "education governor" is, particularly among Democrats. In the late 1980s, Bill Clinton of Arkansas tried to take the mantle from the esteemed Jim Hunt of North Carolina. For a bit, it shifted over to Gaston Caperton of West Virginia, as he emerged from a devastating state-wide teachers strike. And most recently, it was Virginia's Mark Warner, who ushered in the 21st century in the Old Dominion by focusing on high school reform.
But recent history points primarily to Republicans as the "education governors." Lamar Alexander in Tennessee. George W. Bush in Texas. Jeb Bush in Florida. Mitch Daniels in Indiana. Republicans seem to have the upper hand when it comes to conditions for pushing forward with reforms. And while many may question the final