The recent “blue wave” in U.S. elections brought significant victories for child care and prekindergarten funding initiatives. Many elected officials focused on early childhood in their campaigns, signaling a shift toward prioritizing early education.
In Maine, Gov.-elect Hannah Pingree’s platform included universal child care and better pay for early educators. Georgia’s Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms advocated for mandatory kindergarten and expanded pre-K. Wisconsin’s incoming governor, David Crowley, plans to broaden the state’s child care subsidy program for all children under six.
Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, won a Senate seat in South Carolina by emphasizing child care access. In Minnesota, Sen.-elect Peggy Flanagan is pushing for a federal Head Start expansion and universal pre-K. However, not all measures were accepted by voters. For instance, St. Louis and Tempe, Arizona, rejected sales tax increases to fund child care services.
San Antonio voters, however, reauthorized funding for the Pre-K 4 SA program. CEO Sarah Baray highlighted the community’s understanding that early learning benefits caregivers, employers, and schools. Over 72% supported the initiative, emphasizing early childhood as a bipartisan issue.
Melissa Boteach from Zero to Three noted that election outcomes reflect parents’ financial struggles, stating, “Candidates focusing on affordability and child care solutions resonated with struggling families.” She added that voters expect results on these promises, indicating a growing demand for real solutions.
Pre-K and Child Care
✅ San Antonio: Proposition A, reauthorizing a sales tax for pre-K, was approved. It will take effect in 2029 for 20 years.
✅ Boulder County, Colorado: Voters passed Issue 1A to raise property taxes for reducing child care costs and increasing teacher pay.
✅ Marin County, California: Measure P establishes a parcel tax to fund educator compensation and child care access.
✅ San Diego: Measure B, still counting votes, aims to allocate sales tax revenue to child care and early childhood services.
✅ Clear Creek County, Colorado: Ballot Issue 1A raises a lodging tax to fund child care for families and the tourism workforce.
✅ Archuleta County, Colorado: Support for Ballot Issue 1A, which increases a lodging tax, devotes revenue to child care.
✅ Colorado: Proposition NN redirects state funds to K-12 and early education, while Amendment 87 changes tax rates to support education.
Children and Families
✅ Baltimore: Question I amends the city charter to allocate property tax revenue to the Baltimore Baby Fund.
✅ Buchanan County, Missouri: Proposition K, funded by a sales tax, will support mental health services for youth.
Contact staff writer Jackie Mader at 212-678-3562 or mader@hechingerreport.org
This story about early childhood midterm results was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter.
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