As president of our local teachers union, Albert Lea Education Association, I feel I need to reply to the deceptive ad that was in the paper the other day questioning our endorsement process for house district 27A.

First, I don’t understand why the people that signed onto the ad would have a question about this. It is a process occasionally done by Education Minnesota and is no secret. As former members they should know this.

Second, Peggy called me and asked me the same question. I explained it to her. Didn’t they talk to each other before wasting their money on a misleading, disingenuous ad? Or did they have a different motive?

When a candidate has such a stellar voting record in regard to public education as Shannon Savick (all-day kindergarten, repaying of the funding shift, tuition freeze, etc., etc.), and he or she has been screened and endorsed in prior elections, they get what’s called a “friendly endorsement.” As I have said and explained to Peggy, it is a common process.

Both Democrats and Republicans have received such endorsements from Education Minnesota. As a matter of fact, right down the road GOP Greg Davids of 28B has received a friendly endorsement from Ed MN many times.

As I explained earlier, this is not unusual and anyone with even limited involvement with Ed MN knows this. I also explained it to Peggy, which makes me come to the conclusion that the ad must be a pathetic attempt to show our union in a bad light.

They (retired Republicans) are placing politics before education.

We are placing education before politics!

We can all agree that Peggy is a nice person and quality educator. The problem is her endorsement of Jeff Johnson for governor and their combined stance on educational issues (vouchers, getting rid of tenure, getting rid of collective bargaining, etc., etc.). This brings the real question: Why would any voter who truly puts public education first vote for Peggy?

Al Helgerson, president, Albert Lea Education Association

Albert Lea