These guides are NOT endorsements, but layout and rate the Common Core, federal education, preschool and related issues records of the Republican and Democrat candidates for governor of Florida, listed as officially qualified by the Florida Department of State to be on the ballot for the 2018 election, based on reviews of the candidates’ statements on their websites, in the media, at debates, polling data, endorsements, and voting records where available. PDF versions of these tables are available for the Democrats and the Republicans. The Florida Primary will be held on Tuesday, August 28.
Democrat Primary:
- Expanded/Supported Federal Intrusion in Education: N/A
- Supports Common Core: Not mentioned – His supporters oppose CCSS 40%-27%.
- Opposes High Stakes Testing: Yes
- Supports Expanded Pre-K: Yes, he wants an expansion of pre-K despite overall research of ineffectiveness and harm.
Former Congresswoman Gwen Graham
- Expanded/Supported Federal Intrusion in Education: Yes, she voted for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in Congress.
- Supports Common Core: Not mentioned, but supported continuation of CCSS by voting for ESSA. Her supporters oppose CCSS 40%-28%.
- Opposes High Stakes Testing: Yes, but she voted for ESSA that has greatly hurt the opt-out movement.
- Supports Expanded Pre-K: Not mentioned, but voted for ESSA that includes expansion of federal pre-K programs and perpetuates a “Baby Common Core.”
- Expanded/Supported Federal Intrusion in Education: N/A
- Supports Common Core: Not mentioned, but his supporters oppose CCSS 46%-33%.
- Opposes High Stakes Testing: Yes
- Supports Expanded Pre-K: Yes, he wants two years “mandatory preschool” despite overall research of ineffectiveness and harm.
- Expanded/Supported Federal Intrusion in Education: N/A
- Supports Common Core: Not mentioned, there is no CCSS polling data available.
- Opposes High Stakes Testing: Yes
- Supports Expanded Pre-K: Yes, he wants an expansion of pre-K despite overall research of ineffectiveness and harm.
- Expanded/Supported Federal Intrusion in Education: N/A
- Supports Common Core: He wants government directed academic standards from Pre-K to grade 3.
- Opposes High Stakes Testing: No.
- Supports Expanded Pre-K: He wants government directed Pre-K through grade 3 in churches, taxing churches that refuse.
Chris King and Jon Wetherbee had little to no information on their views and plans for these pre-K through 12 education issues and received grades of “Incomplete.”
Republican Primary
- Opposes Federal Intrusion in Education: Yes, he voted against the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in Congress, which cemented CCSS in place and harms the opt-out movement.
- Opposes Common Core: Yes, he cosponsored 2014 resolution against CCSS and has strongly opposed in speeches, interviews and via vote against ESSA. He is listening to his supporters, who oppose CCSS 72%-16%.
- Opposes Expansion of Government Pre-K: Yes, he voted against ESSA that includes expansion of federal pre-K programs that research continues to show is ineffective and is tied to Common Core.
- Pro-Common Core Endorsement or Rating: No
- Anti-Common Core Endorsement or Rating: American Conservative Union, Mark Levin, and Sean Hannity.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam
- Opposes Federal Intrusion in Education: No, he voted for
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in Congress requiring annual state tests and laying the groundwork for Common Core. - Opposes Common Core: No, he hasn’t discussed the issue during the campaign but supported Common Core during parent revolt. He is ignoring his supporters who oppose CCSS 67%-17%.
- Opposes Expansion of Government Pre-K: No, he voted for NCLB and the Head Start Act that greatly increased federal control over preschool that research continues to show is ineffective and became tied to Common Core.
- Pro-Common Core Endorsement or Rating: Florida Chamber
- Anti-Common Core Endorsement or Rating: No.
Businessman and Activist Bob White
- Opposes Federal Intrusion in Education: Yes, he clearly understands the lack of constitutionality of the federal role in education and cost to states.
- Opposes Common Core: Yes, and has led many grassroots efforts against Common Core throughout the state and at the legislature.
- Opposes Expansion of Government Pre-K: Not discussed.
- Pro-Common Core Endorsement or Rating: No
- Anti-Common Core Endorsement or Rating: Former Congressman Ron Paul.
The remaining qualified Republican candidates Don Baldauf, Timothy DeVine, Bob Langford, John Mercadante, and Bruce Nathan either do not have campaign websites, have no record, or discuss pre-K through 12 education issues minimally, if at all. These five candidates received grades of “Incomplete.”