For years, Democrats — pushed by powerful teachers’ unions — have fought tooth and nail against school vouchers and other forms of school choice.
But now, something big is happening: cracks are showing in the wall.
A major Democrat-aligned group, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), is urging the party to embrace parts of President Trump’s new national private-school choice program.
That’s not just a small shift.
It’s a sign that Republicans have turned school choice into a winning issue so strong, some Democrats can’t afford to oppose it anymore.
Trump’s National School Choice Plan
President Trump’s new budget bill includes the first nationwide private-school voucher program. States can choose whether to participate.
The money — provided through a federal tax credit — would help families pay for private school tuition, tutoring, or other education expenses.
In some cases, it could even be used for students still attending public schools, like paying for exam fees or extra help after school.
DFER’s CEO, Jorge Elorza, a former Democrat mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, is calling this a “no-brainer.”
He says vouchers are especially popular with working-class black and Latino families — many of whom shifted toward Trump in 2024.
“This is literally free money,” Elorza told The New York Times, “that is broadly supported by the majority of voters who have steadily drifted away from the party.”
Why This Is a Political Game-Changer
For decades, Democrats have been united with teachers’ unions in saying “no” to vouchers.
The unions claim vouchers “steal” money from public schools.
But public frustration with failing schools — especially in cities — has been growing.
Parents want options, and Republicans have been the ones fighting to give them more choices.
Now, with some Democrats openly considering Trump’s plan, the political advantage has shifted.
If even a slice of the Democrat base starts to see school choice as a good thing, it’s bad news for the unions and a huge boost for the GOP.
Nevada’s Stakes in the Debate
Here in Nevada, the fight over school choice is nothing new.
In recent years, proposals for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and Opportunity Scholarships have been stalled or watered down by Democrat leadership in Carson City — almost always at the urging of the Nevada State Education Association (the teachers’ union).
Governor Joe Lombardo has been pushing to expand school choice since he took office.
During the last legislative session, his plan to boost Opportunity Scholarships — which help low- and middle-income families afford private school — ran into fierce opposition from Democrats.
But public polling has shown strong bipartisan support for giving parents more options, especially after the COVID shutdowns left many kids behind.
If Nevada Democrats start softening their stance — even slightly — it would be a major shift.
With Trump’s federal program on the table for states to opt into starting in 2027, the pressure will be on.
Why Parents Are Demanding Change
Parents across the country — including in Nevada — are tired of hearing “wait” when their kids are stuck in schools that don’t meet their needs.
Charter schools have long been an alternative, but demand often outpaces supply.
Private school choice programs could give families more immediate options.
As Elorza points out, this isn’t just about ideology. It’s about parents making decisions that work for their kids.
And politically, it’s about winning back voters who have lost trust in Democrat leadership on education.
Teachers’ Unions Dig In
Not everyone in the Democrat camp is ready to budge.
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, blasted vouchers as “a vehicle to abandon public education.”
Other Democrat-aligned groups are forming to fight the Trump program while still supporting charters and other public school reforms.
But even with the pushback, the fact that this debate is happening at all is a major change.
Republicans have been hammering school choice for years. Now, they’re seeing their arguments win over at least some voices on the other side.
School choice isn’t just a conservative cause anymore — it’s becoming a bipartisan issue because parents are fed up.
For Republicans, that’s proof their message is working.
And for Democrats, especially in states like Nevada where parents are demanding more options, saying “no” to school choice might soon be a political risk they can’t afford.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
