Friend,

From day one, Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman and I have been clear: this is an Education First administration. Public education is the key to our children’s futures, and it wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our public school educators. This Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re grateful for our teachers who empower the next generation of leaders.

Appreciating teachers means investing in them as much as they invest in their students. Unfortunately, politicians in the General Assembly have refused to provide a much-needed, meaningful pay raise for our public educators, and are working to change the Kentucky Constitution so they can funnel millions of dollars out of our public schools and into unaccountable private schools.

Instead of being a champion for our schools, extreme politicians in Frankfort would rather ban books, attack our educators, and pull money out of our public schools than guarantee a raise for all Kentucky teachers.

Democrats have a proven track record as the advocates our schools deserve. In November, I’m counting on you to help elect more pro-education Democrats to strengthen our schools and keep extreme partisan politics out of our classrooms.

Our educators—teachers, teachers’ aides, and everyone who helps our children at school, from cafeteria staff to bus drivers to secretaries and school nurses—answer a call to service every day. It’s past time they got the recognition and appreciation they deserve.

I chose Jacqueline Coleman as my running mate because of her experience as a public school teacher. Her firsthand knowledge of our education system makes her an invaluable asset in our mission to prioritize public education in Kentucky.

To the people who work day in and day out to keep our schools running and our children educated, thank you.

With gratitude,

Andy Beshear

Governor of Kentucky