Old Dominion News

Corey DeAngelis joins the celebration of the American Federation for Children as almost all of their endorsed candidates proceed to Virginia’s General election. The results of the June 20 primaries showed seven endorsed candidates were successful.

“It’s happening,” school choice activist Corey DeAngelis tweeted after the Virginia primaries were held on June 20. He listed the seven candidates endorsed by the American Federation for Children that were elected to be candidates for Virginia House of Delegates and Senate this fall. These included “Emily Brewer (SD17), Tara Durant (SD27), John Stirrup (HD21), Wren Williams (HD47), Lee Peters (HD65), Mark Earley (HD73) and Mike Dillender (HD84).” Their names will appear on the November 2023 general election ballot.

The American Federation for Children is an organization that fights for school choice rights for all families at the state and federal level. “When funding for education follows students to the school of their choice, families win,” according to their website. “We believe all parents should have a wide range of high-quality educational options to choose from, regardless of income.”

An AFC press release celebrated the news, congratulating the winners and the growing focus of the state and residents on the issue of school choice for their families and students. “The VFC PAC invested more than $300,000 in state races to support school choice proponents during the 2023 primary,” according to the press release.

“The education establishment in Virginia has fought the ability for parents to select the best education options for their children, but parents made their wishes clear again at the ballot box this week,” AFC National Director of Government Affairs Ryan Cantrell said, according to the press release. “The Virginia General Assembly must listen to parents across the Commonwealth who are asking for greater access to education freedom. The victories tonight are just the first step in bringing true school choice to Virginia, and parents are well-positioned to elect a school choice majority in both chambers in November’s general election.”