Mother Crusader: DFER Trying To Steal Election From Ras Baraka

Mother Crusader: DFER Trying To Steal Election From Ras Baraka:

DFER Trying To Steal Election From Ras Baraka

The Newark mayoral race is heating up with less than a week to go, and there has been plenty of discussion about an influx of cash to the Jeffries campaign and questions as to where the money is coming from.

Newark First, an independent group of Jeffries' supporters, launched an advertising campaign Wednesday attacking Baraka's record of managing city finances. 

"Who will move Newark in a new direction? Not councilman Ras Baraka," the narrator said. "Jeffries is a different kind of leader. 

The group has raised more than $1.3 million. Its donors include several financial executives and an $850,000 donation from Education Reform Now, a politically active education reform organization, according to its election filing report. 

Newark First has spent almost $425,000 on the election, the report says. (emphasis mine)

Wow! 850,000 from Education Reform Now!! What's that?

Why, inquisitive reader, that would be a 501c3 affiliated with none other than Democrats for Education Reform. You see, Education Reform Now's President just so happens to be DFER Executive Director Joe Williams. Williams is also President of a related 501c4, Education Reform Now Advocacy. 

And in case you're not up on DFER, I'll let DFER Watch fill you in on exactly who they are and what they stand for.

Democrats for Education Reform is a political action committee supported largely by hedge fund managers favoring charter schools, merit-pay tied to test scores, high-stakes testing, school choice (including vouchers and tuition tax credits in some cases), mayoral control, and alternative teacher preparation programs.

2009 tax documents reveal the direct relationship between DFER, Education Reform Now, and Mother Crusader: DFER Trying To Steal Election From Ras Baraka: