United Teachers Los Angeles has formally withdrawn its endorsement of a candidate who was seeking to unseat school board member Richard Vladovic in the March 8 election.
The union's House of Representatives voted to officially withdraw the endorsement of Jesus Escandon on Wednesday evening, according to a press release sent out Thursday.
Escandon said last week he would withdraw his candidacy for the Los Angeles Unified Board District 7 seat after union officials learned he had failed to disclose past convictions for driving while drunk and without a license.
Escandon's name will still appear on the ballot, as will Carson resident Roye Love and Vladovic, who is seeking a second term.
It's been an interesting election cycle for this seat so far, with Vladovic's consultant getting fired this week.
The union's policy-making body also voted to endorse retired teacher Bennett Kayser in the Board District 5 race. UTLA had announced it would withdraw its endorsement of John Fernandez in that race for misrepresentations during interviews.
The Los Angeles Times has more; the UTLA press release is after the jump.
UTLA House of Representatives endorses Bennett Kayser for March LAUSD school board election.
February 9, 2011 - This evening UTLA's House of Representatives, the union's policy-making body, endorsed Bennett Kayser, candidate for LAUSD School Board District 5 in
the March 2011 election.
The House of Representatives also voted to rescind its endorsement of John Fernandez, candidate for District 5 and Jesus Escandon for District 7. The decision was based on the union's recent finding that both John Fernandez and Jesus Escandon made material misrepresentations during their interview process. Jesus Escandon withdrew his candidacy last week.
UTLA continues to support District 1 school board member Marguerite LaMotte, who has embraced collaboration and demonstrated that she is a true advocate for students.
"UTLA remains committed to participate in the School Board elections and to put power in the hands of neighborhood schools, parents, teachers and community rather than the bureaucrats and downtown politicians who have failed our kids, said A.J. Duffy, UTLA President. "We will continue our fight to elect candidates who recognize the importance of working as partners with teachers, parents and students to keep students in schools and prepare them to succeed in their futures."
United Teachers Los Angeles represents the 45,000 public school teachers and health and human services professionals in Los Angeles. UTLA's political work is largely funded by voluntary member contributions to PACE - it's Political Action Council of Educators. The LAUSD School Board election will take place on Tuesday, March 8, 2011.
Leave a comment