Wisconsin State Representative Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton) on Thursday echoed claims expressed by many Democrats that parents should not “have a say” in their child’s public education.
“If parents want to ‘have a say’ in their child’s education, they should home school or pay for private school tuition out of their pocket,” she wrote in a tweet that she later deleted.
Republicans immediately pushed back on her comment, as Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Kleefish slammed Snodgrass for her tweet.
“I am fed up with Tony Evers and his liberal allies trying to silence parents. They believe they know what is best for your children. I believe we as parents should be in charge of our children’s education. They are our kids, not wards of the state. I will put an end to this!” she responded.
Rep. Snodgrass deleted her tweet because clearly WI Democrats don't want her telling parents what they really think. But as a mom, I keep receipts..
Message to liberals: as taxpayers we already pay for our children's education and have an absolute right to "have a say." pic.twitter.com/75FwRaULjs
— Rebecca Kleefisch (@RebeccaforReal) February 10, 2022
After the backlash, Snodgrass deleted her comment and attempted to walk back her remarks, saying they were “easily misrepresented.”
“I deleted my Tweet since it was lacking in nuance and easily misinterpreted. I wouldn’t want anyone to think that parents do not have a role in their child’s public education–I sure did. I encourage all parents to engage in voting for school board, join PTO and meet with teachers,” she said in another tweet.
I deleted my Tweet since it was lacking in nuance and easily misinterpreted. I wouldn't want anyone to think that parents do not have a role in their child's public education-I sure did. I encourage all parents to engage in voting for school board, join PTO and meet with teachers
— Rep. Lee Snodgrass (@RepSnodgrass) February 10, 2022
While she claimed the remarks were incorrectly described, the statements seem to be a trend among Democrats across the country. As multiple individuals and organizations have repeatedly made similar comments, only to backtrack the statements due to opposition.
“Not sure where this ‘parents-should-control-what-is-taught-in-schools-because-they-are-our-kids’ is originating, but parents do have the option to send their kids to a hand-selected private school at their own expense if this is what they desire,” the Michigan Democratic Party posted on Facebook.
“I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach,” said Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, who went on to lose to Republican Glenn Youngkin.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Wisconsin Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Rep. Lee Snodgrass” by Lee Snodgrass.
