The Delaware State Education Association DSEA, the state’s largest labor union representing approximately 14,000 educators, has officially endorsed Democratic candidate and New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer for governor, just two weeks before the November 5 General Election.
This endorsement follows the union’s initial backing of former Democratic candidate Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, who lost in the Primary Election.
DSEA President Stephanie Ingram explained the union’s decision to pivot, emphasizing the importance of Meyer’s commitment to working with DSEA on key education issues affecting Delaware students, families, and educators.
Meyer’s background as a middle school math teacher and his extensive education policy plans, including addressing the educator staffing crisis and backing increased funding based on student need, made him the clear choice for governor, according to Ingram.
Meyer has pledged to implement the Public Education Compensation Committee’s recommendations to keep educator pay competitive and supports a weighted funding formula for state education, as recommended by the American Institutes for Research AIR.
His opponent, Republican Mike Ramone, has endorsed creating a school voucher system, a stance that DSEA opposes.
Meyer and Ramone will face each other in the General Election on November 5, 2024.