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Common Core is the litmus test election issue

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Photo Courtesy Joshua Mercer CatholicVote.org

As the summer campaign season heats up, I’m hearing from people all over the state who say that Common Core is taking center stage at candidate forums.

Hillsdale resident and CatholicVote.org co-founder, Joshua Mercer,  attended the Candidate Forum for the 58th District sponsored by  the Hillsdale County Republican Woman on Wednesday.  Mercer contacted me via Twitter and said that all seven GOP expressed opposition to Common Core.

“Candidates at the District 58 debate offered several different ideas on how to keep Michigan moving forward….But all seven candidates agreed that the one-size-fits-all approach to Common Core had to go. All favored repeal.”

Mercer added that State Representative Mike Shirkey (R-District 65) currently running for Senate in the 16th District also attended the forum and “heard how strongly people wanted Common Core repealed. ”  Rep. Shirkey voted FOR HCR 011 September 2013 to restart the implementation of Common Core.   Shirkey is listed as FOR Common Core on our 2014 Election Roll Call and is endorsed by GLEP.

Hillsdale Daily News also covered the forum. 

“Other topics raised included how they would work to reform or repeal Common Core in Michigan’s Education. The candidates agreed that the issue needs to be addressed, however they disagreed slightly in how they would approach reform or repeal.”

Mercer said that the story “way undersells the strong opposition by all 7 candidates to Common Core.”   Clearly, common core is becoming the litmus test issue for the 2014 election.
The primary is in August.   Currently, none of the seven candidates in the Branch/Hilllsdalde District have a statement against Common Core on their website.  After last night, I think that will likely change.   We’ll be watching and updating the Election 2014: Roll Call on the Common Core as new information becomes available.

If you attend a forum or town hall and Common Core is discussed, please let us know where the candidates stand.  If  they do not address it at a forum or on their website, ASK and KEEP ASKING!   Our children’s future is too important for any candidate for elected office to stay silent. 

Election 2014: Roll Call on the Common Core