Youngkin-backed group launches ad campaign for federal school choice program

(The Center Square) – A new organization founded by a former Republican governor and potential 2028 presidential candidate has launched an ad campaign that is urging Pennsylvania to opt into a federal school choice program.

Empowering America’s Parents, created by former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, is a national policy advocacy organization promoting the Education Freedom Tax Credit, signed into law by President Donald Trump. The federal program, enacted as a result of the Working Families Tax Cut Act, established a new federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions made to a scholarship granting organization.

The Department of Education describes these organizations as “nonprofits that accept qualified contributions from individuals and use the funds to provide scholarships for education-related services at private or public schools, including tuition, fees, academic tutoring and classroom supplies.”

"The crazy thing is that we have 30 states that have opted in, but we have 20 states that have not,” Youngkin said. “And of the 20 states that have not opted in, there’s one basic characteristic: nearly every one is led by a Democrat governor. These Democrat governors are being literally puppeted by the teachers unions, and they need to get over this.”

A source familiar with the organization’s plans tells The Center Square a multi-million paid media blitz has been launched in several states led by governors that have not yet opted into the program, including Pennsylvania. 

The first wave of what will be a six-figure digital and text campaign in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh suburbs was launched on Friday as they attempt to reach who they view as persuadable voters who support school choice.

“Nothing is more important than our kids, so who'd be against scholarships for tuition, tutoring, services for kids with disabilities, all paid for by a federal tax credit with no state dollars, not hardworking parents,” a voiceover reads in the ad. “20 governors have not opted in, including Pennsylvania, and it's blowing this opportunity.”

Internal polling from the organization suggests that awareness about the Education Freedom Tax Credit is low, according to a source familiar with the organization’s plans, however, they say it is popular after voters are made aware of what it entails.

“While children in other states benefit, Pennsylvania should opt in for scholarships and education freedom tax credits, so hardworking families can choose the best path for their child,” is said at the conclusion of the 30-second spot.

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A spokesperson for the Shapiro administration said the governor is “awaiting federal guidance" to address key questions about how this program would work, including which students will be eligible, how this federal initiative will interact with existing programs, and more.”

Youngkin is the latest conservative to apply public pressure to Gov. Josh Shapiro to opt into this program.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon joined Republican lawmakers in April for a rally on the steps of the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, and later spoke at a conservative conference about the program. 

U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., held a press call in June with fellow advocates of the federal school choice program, where he touted the benefits of it, while also expressing optimism that Shapiro would decide to opt Pennsylvania into it.

“I think that the rationale of this opportunity will hopefully convince him to opt in,” McCormick said in June. “I hope and expect he will.”

At the state level, several GOP state Senators and one Democrat, Anthony Williams, have introduced legislation that would require Pennsylvania to opt into this program.

However, some groups, like AFT Pennsylvania, have expressed opposition to tuition tax credits and voucher programs in the past, arguing it would take resources away from traditional public schools.

Outside of Pennsylvania, NBC News reports that the decision from Youngkin to create this group is “likely to intensify speculation that he will seek the Republican nomination for president in 2028.”

Shapiro, who is seeking a second term in office in November, has also been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate in the next cycle.