N.M. Lawmakers Question Education Candidate’s Ties to Florida Reform Group

New Mexico Democrats are skeptical of Hanna Skandera, candidate for the state’s top education post, and her ties to the Foundation For Excellence in Education founded by former Florida Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

Several legislators were concerned Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence in Education has too much influence.

“It sounds like, to me anyway, that the Foundation for Excellence in Education sort of is driving the ship here, in terms of the kinds of reforms that are going to be taking place in New Mexico,” said Rep. Eleanor Chavez, D-Albuquerque.

Skandera worked on Jeb Bush’s education team, and aspects of her reform agenda are from the “Florida model.”