Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: School-choice advocate re-elected Date: Wed, 4 Nov 92 16:16:30 EST Message-ID: \SE A;ELECTIONS '92;EDUCATION POLICY \HD School-choice advocate re-elected \BY Carleton R. Bryant \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES Annette "Polly" Williams, a leading national proponent of school choice, won re-election yesterday to the Wisconsin legislature, where she has advocated a voucher program similar to that proposed by President Bush. Mrs. Williams, a black liberal Democrat who supported Jesse Jackson in 1988, won handily over a relatively unknown challenger, independent James Pusey, for the Milwaukee district seat. Surprisingly, the school-choice issue played only a small part in her reelection campaign, Mrs. Williams said. "The people in my district support school choice," she said. "I'd read in the newspapers that my opponent is against it." Mr. Pusey could not be reached for comment. Mrs. Williams piqued the ire of her Democratic colleagues when she backed Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson in promoting a school-choice voucher program that includes public and private schools. The program has been opposed by the National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, Parent-Teachers Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Democratic Party officials. Because of her divergent education policy, Mrs. Williams bumped up against political resistance within her party - largely in the form of a Democratic redistricting plan that undercut her black-majority voter base. But a three-member federal panel last spring adopted the state Republicans' redistricting plan instead. "It's not a plan I agree with," Mrs. Williams said. "They both weaken black strength." This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM