The Skinny

Reaction to the White House's delay on immigration reform and more

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Crossover Support, Part II

Republicans embrace Democratic candidate for state schools chief

Democrat David Garcia, who is facing Republican Diane Douglas in the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, has landed the support of two former Republicans who held the post, Lisa Graham Keegan and Jaime Molera.

"I am supporting David Garcia for state school superintendent because the state needs an education leader who seeks the best in education for all students, informs his decisions with honest data, and understands integrity in office is everything," said Keegan, who headed up the office from 1995 to 2001 and later served as John McCain's education advisor. "I have watched David bring these strengths to his work, and look forward to his leadership."

Molera, who served from 2001 to 2002, said that the state "does not need someone who will bring extreme and nonsensical views into our K-12 system. David worked as a top advisor to me when I served as state superintendent. I know he has a strong work ethic and will lead based on sound research, not distorted ideological views."

The endorsements show that Douglas, a former Peoria school board member who upset Republican incumbent John Huppenthal in the GOP primary, is making establishment Republicans and some members of the business community nervous because they fear she will not be good for the state's educational system or reputation.

Garcia welcomed the endorsements.

"Though elections are partisan, good education policy is not," Garcia said. "I'm honored to have the support of both Democratic and Republican education leaders, and I am committed to doing what's in the best interest of our students, our schools and our state."