NEA Elects Activist to Executive Committee, Signaling Shift in Political Focus

The National Education Association’s Representative Assembly recently elected Cecily Myart-Cruz, a Black Lives Matter activist from Los Angeles and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, to its executive committee. She received nearly 70% of the vote, which suggests a strong commitment from the NEA towards left-leaning political strategies and social justice activism.

This shift isn’t particularly surprising; it aligns with the union’s history and echoes the outgoing NEA President Becky Pringle’s recent rallying cry for a “political revolution.”

For many years, teachers’ unions have created a powerful political machine, using members’ dues to fund campaigns, activist groups, and initiatives. Since 2016, the NEA and its affiliates have contributed over $1 billion to political organizations and activist causes.

Despite constant claims of protecting “democracy” from “fascists,” there’s a sense that their actions often serve their own strategic interests.

Recently, the NEA’s Representative Assembly adopted a bylaw to increase annual member dues by $10, with the funds earmarked for the Ballot Measure/Legislative Crises and Media Campaign Fund. This move will contribute an extra $20 million annually to state and local politics, further promoting the NEA’s agenda.

To illustrate how this plays out, consider the ongoing school choice debate in Arizona regarding the Empowerment Scholarship Account program. The NEA is reportedly using various strategies to limit families’ choices in education.

Leading efforts against school choice is a Political Action Committee (PAC) called Protect Education, Accountability Now, which received almost $4.5 million from the NEA in the first quarter of 2026. This PAC isn’t just funded by unions; it’s operated by union leaders. For instance, the chairman, Delia Lynding, is the president of the Kyrene Education Association and actively promotes union objectives, having labeled unions as “the antidote to fascism” at a recent rally.

This raises questions about differing perspectives on the concept of “fascism.”

However, this situation is not unique; unions have actively used their power to influence policies and legislation in various states. They have invested millions into nonprofits aimed at challenging school choice initiatives in locations such as Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, and Nebraska.

Additionally, the NEA has teamed up with Public School Strong, an initiative under Race Forward, which has been associated with questionable rhetoric in the past. Their mission is to promote “equity” and defend public education from what they view as threats, training local community members to advocate for union interests. In 2024, the NEA allocated over $300,000 to Race Forward.

At the recent NEA annual meeting, the Representative Assembly outlined the organization’s future direction, emphasizing a desire for increased power and control over educational systems and culture.

To counter these tactics, it’s essential to expose their strategies and present alternatives like the Teacher Freedom Alliance. Promoting legislation that limits the influence of far-left agendas within the unions is crucial.

The time has come to end the funding mechanisms that support the teachers unions’ political activism.