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Candidates back restoring and strengthening Education Department; most oppose charter expansion
Summary
At the Hartford debate, all four Democratic candidates backed restoring the Department of Education and increasing federal investment in public education; most said they do not support expanding charter schools and called for stronger federal support for special education and teacher pay.
Asked whether they would restore a dismantled Department of Education and their position on charter schools, candidates expressed broad support for restoration and federal investment. Ruth Fortune said she "personally do[es] not support charter schools" and highlighted her service on the Hartford Board of Education and special‑education enforcement. Jillian Gilchrist said she would "significantly invest in the Department of Education" and would not support new charter expansion while maintaining funding for existing charters. John Larson and Luke Bronin both said they support public education, greater teacher training and federal partnership with states; Bronin added that special education responsibilities had recently been shifted in ways he viewed as harmful.
Why it matters: Education funding and special education obligations are core federal responsibilities that affect district budgets, teacher staffing and student services. Candidates tied education policy to local property taxes and broader affordability concerns, and all favored increased federal support rather than further privatization.
