Nestled among the predictable list of charter school friendly – or owners in three cases – is one democrat, Rep, Ron Saunders from Key West, who faces a tough primary Tuesday against Dwight Bullard. To privatization hacks like Rhee, Saunders represents the lesser of two evils. Gushes Rhee’s StudentsFirst website about Saunders:
Rep. Saunders has served House District 120 for 12 years, most recently as House Minority Leader, and is now running for Senate in District 39. He is unafraid to challenge the party line when it comes to the interests of students and has supported key legislation to give Florida families more of a say in their children’s education.
Key Votes:
• HB 1331: Allows students at failing schools to enroll in another public school.
• SB 1546: Authorizes expansion of successful public charter schools.
On Friday, Saunders received $5oo from Charter Schools USA and $500 from their construction and development arm Red Apple Development. Republican Rep. Jeanette Nunez received the same pairing. Saunders has also received two $500 contributions from hedge funder and Democrats for Education Reform charter school zealot Whitney Tilson. Powerful pro-privatization PAC director and Jeb Bush ally John Kirtley has made two $500 donations to Saunders
