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Candidates Are Drawing School Choice Battle Lines in Campaign to Succeed New Jersey Gov. Christie

Phil Murphy
Education is shaping up as a major campaign issue in the race to succeed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a staunch supporter of charter schools who is term-limited. With just a few weeks to go before the June 6 primary, the gubernatorial hopefuls have expressed competing visions of what the education landscape should look like in the Garden State. Not surprisingly, the Republican candidates support the continued growth of charter schools, while the Democratic hopefuls are more skeptical. Here are a few of their positions:
  • Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli favors charter schools in failing districts but not in areas where student performance is high. He has criticized Murphy for his lackluster support of charter schools.
  • Christie’s lieutenant governor, Republican Kim Guadagno, used one of her first policy statements in the race to talk about her support for school choice. She also favors school vouchers.


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