A look at the political activities of education secretary Betsy DeVos
Betsy DeVos, President Donald Trump's education secretary, built her political resume by raising and contributing millions of dollars to support the cause of giving parents choices on where their children go to school.
The daughter of one wealthy businessman and the wife of another, DeVos has headed a series of groups that help rich contributors spend large sums on elections, including one that was assessed the biggest fine ever by the Ohio Elections Commission.
A look at her political activities.
WHO IS BETSY DEVOS?
DeVos is the daughter of an auto parts manufacturer who married into another wealthy Michigan family, the one that runs Amway.
Her family is steeped in politics. Her father, Edgar Prince, was a major early donor to the Family Research Council. Her husband, Dick DeVos, lost a 2006 run for governor of Michigan, and DeVos herself served as the chairwoman of the state Republican Party. Her brother, Erik Prince, is the founder of the security company Blackwater, which has had key government contracts.
Her education experience is mainly through advocating for school choice. She attended private Christian schools. Her children, now grown, were educated through a combination of private schools and homeschooling.
During a 2001 appearance at a retreat of Christian philanthropists, she said, "Our desire is to confront the culture in ways that will continue to advance God's kingdom."
GIVING TO POLITICS
DeVos personally contributed at least $2.3 million to candidates and political action committees from 2007 through last year.
Her family, including husband and one-time Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, mother Elsa Prince Broekhuizen, brother Erik Prince and father- and mother-in-law Richard and Helen DeVos contributed a combined $19 million in that same period.
RAISING SOFT MONEY
Twenty years ago, DeVos wrote an opinion piece for the Washington publication Roll Call in which she said A look at the political activities of education secretary Betsy DeVos | National News | nwitimes.com:
