More Right Wing money gets behind Betsy DeVos nomination for Secretary of Education in Ad Campaigns

Yesterday, the watchdog organization, the Center for Public Integrity noted that two conservative non-profit organizations are spending lots of money to run ad campaigns in states with Senators who haven’t as yet completely committed to voting for DeVos.

The two groups are Club for Growth and America Next. Founded in 1999, Club for Growth has focused much of their energy around economic issues, such as taxes and pushing a pro-capitalism agenda. Club for Growth has also aggressively back candidates running for federal office, candidates like West Michigan’s Justin Amash. 

According to the Club for Growth website, under the heading, We Are Determined to see Betsy DeVos win confirmation, it states:

The Club for Growth released the following statement from its president, David McIntosh, about its new television ad supporting the nomination of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education:

“The Club for Growth enthusiastically endorsed Betsy DeVos when President Trump nominated her in December, and we are determined to see her win confirmation,” said Club for Growth president David McIntosh. “We expected the union-backed liberals to oppose her, but it’s especially troubling to see Senators in conservative states who are wavering on her nomination because of union pressure. We’re running these ads to make sure constituents understand what’s at stake in this nomination battle.”

The Club for Growth is airing TV ads in North Dakota and West Virginia, urging constituents to call their Senator about the DeVos nomination.

Here is an ad that Club for Growth is running. 

America Next is an organization much newer to partisan politics. Founded in 2015, America Next was started by long-time Republican Bobby Jindal and seeks to influence the federal policy in four main areas: Education, Defense, Energy and Health Care.

In reading the platform they have for Education Policy, one can see why they are spending money to get Betsy DeVos nominated. The 44 page Education Policy report is a public educator’s worst nightmare. 

Here is the ad campaign that America First is running to get Betsy DeVos nominated as Education Secretary.

The Center for Public Integrity article also states:

The Club for Growth and America Next both didn’t respond to a request for comment from the Center for Public Integrity. Club for Growth is also running digital ads on Twitter and on websites such as National Review. The 45Committee, another conservative nonprofit whose sister super PAC supported Trump during the 2016 election, has also released a pro-DeVos web promotion.