Education-linked PACs active in races

A pair of education-related political action committees are active in legislative primary races this year, utilizing telephone banks and mailing lists as well as making contributions to favored candidates.

But the two PACs — the Utah Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, and Parents for Choice in Education, an organization pushing for school vouchers — aren't on the same side.

In fact, they're supporting opposing candidates in several GOP primaries, including Senate District 18, where Sen. Dave Thomas of South Weber is facing a challenge from Ogden Police Chief Jon Greiner.

Thomas, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, has received more than $3,000 in contributions from Parents for Choice in Education, while Greiner is getting campaign assistance from the UEA.

In House District 19, the union is backing the incumbent, Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful. Her GOP primary opponent, Mark Jacobs, recently lost the support of Parents for Choice in Education after some personal financial problems became public.

The UEA is also working on behalf of Stephen Sandstrom, who is running against incumbent Rep. Jim Ferrin in House District 58; Jim Bird, who is challenging Rep. Peggy Wallace of West Jordan in House District 42; and Dennis Sampson, who is seeking an open seat in District 42.

The union isn't providing cash to candidates, said Vic Arnold, UEA director of government relations and political action. Instead, their help comes in the form of in-kind contributions such as providing signs.

Also, telephone calls and mailings are being made to union members on behalf of some candidates, Arnold said, possibly including some last-minute automated calls to get out the vote on primary Election Day.

"It's not unusual at all," Arnold said, for the union to be so active in advance of a primary. "Given our limited resources, we need to focus on primary elections where we can make a difference. It's actually a more effective way to spend money."

Just how much money is being spent by either organization is not clear. Although candidates had to disclosure their contributions before the election, PACs are not required to file with the state Elections Office until the fall.

Arnold said he believes Parents for Choice in Education is "spending a lot more than we're able to spend," especially given the thousands of dollars in cash contributions to candidates that have already been reported by the pro-choice group.

Elisa Clements Peterson, executive director of Parents for Choice in Education, declined to provide information about her organization's spending on behalf of candidates, citing the strategic advantage of keeping quiet.

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