WV Teachers Unions Exploit Miners' Tragedy to Attack Pro-Charter School Democrat

Leave it to teachers unions: they sure know how to be obnoxious at the most inappropriate times.

The West Virginia chapters of the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association have teamed up with the miners union and the AFL-CIO to produce a television ad attacking Democratic State Sen. Erik Wells.

Like President Obama and his Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Wells supports charter schools. The AFT and NEA do not. Therefore, exploiting the deaths of 29 miners, the unions find Wells unfit for legislative service.

It’s a perfect example of the depth teachers unions will stoop to attack political candidates – even Democratic candidates they traditionally support.

Wells contends that state law already protects mine safety whistleblowers, and no further legislative action is necessary, according to the Charleston Daily Mail. Now the unions want him to pay for that honest opinion.

But why should that stop the teachers unions? What makes this particularly distasteful is watching the teachers unions – who supposedly look out for the interests of teachers – spend their resources to attack a candidate over mine safety.

Here’s an ad idea for the teachers unions: how about one that explains how Wells stands with you in protecting students from bad, ineffective teachers? Oh that’s right, because you don’t do that – you’re stuck in the mud supporting teacher tenure.

We’ve come to realize is teachers unions will use any issue, and any means necessary, to exact revenge on their political opponents. Sadly, a candidate like Erik Wells, who apparently supports choice in education, is among that group.

We’ll have to wait till May 11 to see if voters will hold the teachers unions accountable for such a disgusting attack.

In the meantime, Wells is running a counter attack, apologizing to viewers for having to watch the offensive attack on him. According to MetroNews:

“I basically apologize for viewers that they are watching an ad that is so distasteful and shameful,” he said.

…

“The bill in question, frankly, wasn’t important enough for them to even show up in committee two years ago. But now, in an election year, it is,” Wells said.

While I haven’t seen Wells’ ad, he would serve his constituents well to also point out how the West Virginia teachers unions, in addition to mine safety, don’t give a rip about the kids, either.