How a candidate gets CTA's support

By Dale Martin

If members of CTA find themselves wondering how a candidate for political office gets CTA’s recommendation, they need only look at the Burbank Teachers Association for an example of how the process works.

The Southern California chapter stands to benefit not only from electing an education-friendly candidate to the state Assembly, but also from reinvigorating its members in the process.

The recent resurgence of activity started three years ago when the chapter coalesced to replace three members of their board of education with trustees they supported.

“When we demonstrated we could elect board members, the district began to pay more attention,” says Burbank Co-President Kim Allender. “We let the district know we wanted to be included as partners, and I think we’ve achieved a respectful partnership, so much so that the superintendent has said we are a positive force.”

After that success, the chapter kicked it up a notch and began planning for the nex­t Assembly race when the area’s seat would come up for grabs due to term limits.

Following CTA’s process for awarding the association’s recommendation, candidates for the seat were sent questionnaires and invited to take part in interviews conducted by a committee of local teacher leaders. In the case of the seat for the 43rd Assembly District, which runs through three cities, the interviewing committee included teachers from the Burbank, Glendale and Los Angeles chapters of CTA.

“Our questions had to do with the candidates’ philosophy on public education as well as about Gov. Schwarzenegger, the special election, vouchers and funding public education. We asked questions having to do with local educational issues as well,” says Allender.

After the interviews, the committee made a recommendation to the chapter presidents and their ex­ecutive boards. The recommendation had to win 60 percent of the vote of the executive boards to be sent on to CTA’s State Council of Education for final approval.

CTA members need to understand that chapters are “meticulous” in following the recommendation process, says Bonnie Shatun, who represents the area on CTA’s Board of Directors. A former chair of CTA-ABC, CTA’s political action committee, she says, “CTA’s recommendations are fought over and sought after. Many candidates credit us for giving them the edge.”

Emerging as the favored candidate for the 43rd District was attorney Paul Krekorian, president of the Burbank Board of Education. He was one of the candidates Burbank teachers had helped elect to the board three years earlier.

Shortly after Krekorian, a Democrat, won CTA’s recommendation, teachers in the three chapters mobilized to work for his primary campaign.

“After he had served on the school board, it was easy for our members to see how much of a benefit it would be to have someone in Sacramento,” said BTA Co-President Diana Abasta. “As a result, we became very involved in the campaign. We walked precincts, hosted coffees, phone banked, and worked within our community.”

Krekorian says he benefited greatly from the teachers’ support because their recommendation carries so much weight with voters.“The recommendation is important because the process is grass roots driven and comes from local teachers. It’s the most valuable endorsement a candidate can get.” He’s especially grateful for the core of teachers who have worked tirelessly on his behalf.

Although Krekorian will be on the November ballot, his election seems secure. And Allender couldn’t be more pleased. “We now have a strong voice for public education in the Assembly from Burbank.That’s important for Burbank teachers and for CTA,” he says.

Allender knows well that every chapter struggles to bring in new blood. But the flurry of political activity over the past few years has done just that in Burbank. Abasta agrees, noting the chapter’s success has a ripple effect.

“Teachers know their voice matters, so we can continue to call on them.”