Progressive Wave Sweeps School Board Elections, Shifting Power Dynamics

Liberal and moderate candidates emerged victorious in several high-profile school board elections across the US, rebuking conservative candidates who sought to ban books and restrict discussions on race and gender. These down-ballot elections have become proxy votes for national issues, with liberal and moderate candidates prevailing in conservative states like Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The American Federation of Teachers reported that conservative-endorsed candidates lost about 70% of their races, while conservative groups like the 1776 Project and Moms for Liberty disputed these figures. Divisive issues such as transgender rights and LGBTQ+ history played a significant role in these elections, with Democrats gaining control of school boards in Pennsylvania and Virginia.