The recent school board elections were a huge win for the teachers’ union at both the state and local level. Statewide, 83% of candidates endorsed by Colorado Education Association won their races. Historically, this is some of the strongest performances for union-backed candidates in Colorado. People across Colorado are fed up with the open assaults against public education by moneyed interests. 

Locally, Union candidates had some amazing wins. We’ve managed to flip two school boards! Wen Dolphin and Michelle Hubbard won their races in Widefield, and Holly Withers won her seat in Falcon. With a favorable school board, locals can now move a large step closer to collective bargaining, and therefore a step closer to better pay and working conditions. Woodland Park took a leap towards flipping the disastrous school board there, with three seats gained: Laura Gordon, Kassidi Gilgenast, and Carol Greenstreet. In Canon City, Todd Albrecht and Carla Braddy were uncontested in their races, making for easy wins.

Unfortunately, El Paso County proves to be a more challenging battleground for Union candidates. Neither of the open seats were gained in Lewis-Palmer. In Academy D20, our three candidates lost to the conservative, dark-money slate by considerable margins (up to 5 points). Ineffective campaign management coupled with nearly bottomless coffers of the opposition funded by dark money made for a bitter defeat. For now, our focus will be on organizing Academy workplaces to build solidarity and resistance among educators in the face of a hostile school board.

Educators throughout the area should celebrate the victories we were able to achieve and steel ourselves in the face of some tough losses. It will take time for the dust to settle and for us to learn the lessons to improve our performance ahead of the next round of elections. Until then, we must come together as educators and organize to build power for our Union. We’re stronger together, whether that strength is found in an organized workplace or in an electoral campaign. Solidarity Forever!