At Houston forum, 10 presidential candidates make their pitches to thousands of educators

[TexasTowelie]

by Aliyya Swaby, Texas Tribune

Several thousand red-shirted educators rows deep in the high-ceilinged Houston convention center showed up for the National Education Association's first 2020 presidential forum, whooping loudly at the high notes of the candidates' speeches and clapping together long inflated balloons emblazoned with the national union's 2020 election refrain, "Strong Public Schools."

The Democratic presidential hopefuls had 10 minutes to answer questions submitted by educators across the country. Both Texas candidates — Beto O'Rourke and Julian Castro — made sure to greet the Texas educators in the room in English and Spanish, and referenced their experiences with the state's education system.

"We grew up in the San Antonio ISD and Edgewood ISD school districts of San Antonio that were two of the poorest school districts in the state," said Castro, one of the Democratic candidates with an extensive education plan. "And so I know from firsthand experience the impact of growing up in segregated school districts."

O'Rourke, who has advocated for student loan forgiveness for all public school teachers, walked onto stage to a "Beto" chant, popularized during his unsuccessful run for U.S. senator in 2018.

Read the complete article: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/07/05/houston-biden-warren-orourke-castro-speak-thousands-educators/

[msongs]

1. w bush had a loan foriveness program back in the day if u were in a high impact

field like sciences or special ed

[RHMerriman]

2. Good for them - including Biden, making a play for Texas.

Biden plus a Texan as VP would make life interesting for the GOP...