DeSantis’ Education Policies Resonate With Voters in Battleground States: Teachers Union Poll

July 18, 2022 Updated 12:13 P.M. ET

TAMPA (FLV) – A teachers union poll showed voters in battleground states agree with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ education policy positions.

The poll shows support for young kids not being taught gender identity in school and support for schools focusing less on teaching students about racism and more on academic subjects.

The American Federation of Teachers released a poll which surveyed 1,758 likely voters in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. This national teacher union opposes Governor DeSantis.

– 56% said they were much more likely or somewhat more likely to vote for candidates who believe publish schools should focus less on teaching students about race and racism, and more on core academic subjects.
– 56% are much more likely or somewhat more likely to vote for candidates believes parents should have more say over what their children learn in school.
– 54% are much more likely or somewhat more likely to vote for candidates who believe parents should have the option to decide whether their child receives instruction on gender and transgender issues.
– 54% are much more likely or somewhat more likely to vote for candidates who support legislation to prevent transgender students who were born as males from competing in girls’ athletics.

Governor DeSantis helped champion legislation, the Parental Rights in Education law, that would prohibit K-3 graders from being taught about gender identity and sexual orientation. Critics of the law dubbed it “Don’t Say Gay.” The teachers union poll signaled support for legislation like the one Governor DeSantis signed.

– 54% are much more likely or somewhat more likely to vote for candidates who support legislation that prohibits teaching in kindergarten through third grade about sexual orientation or gender identity. Nineteen percent said it makes no difference either way while 27% said they are somewhat less likely or much less likely to back a candidate who supports that legislation.
– 52% are much more likely or somewhat more likely to vote for candidates who say that schools should stop teaching young children that people can have more than one gender or no gender.
– 52% are much more likely or somewhat more likely to vote for candidates who say schools must stop “grooming” students by encouraging them to question their gender identity or sexual preference.

Governor DeSantis also signed the “Stop WOKE Act” which prohibits educators and workplace employers from teaching people that their “moral character” is determined by race, sex, or national origin.

– 52% are much more likely or somewhat more likely to vote for candidates who say that white students should not be shamed over issues of race and racism.
– 50% are much more likely or somewhat more likely to vote for candidates who believe schools should not teach students that they have special advantages due to their race or ethnic background.
– 46% are much more likely or somewhat more likely to vote for candidates who say that schools should not teach students that all people are racially biased.
– 44% are much more likely or somewhat more likely to vote for candidates who believe public schools should focus less on teaching students about race and racism.