CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – On Sunday, Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut attended and spoke at a forum hosted by the Government Integrity Project, an extremist, anti-government organization known for promoting conspiracy theories about public health, pandemic response, education, and elections.
In response to Commissioner Edelblut’s speech, Democrats on the House Education Committee, Ranking Democrat Rep. Mel Myler (D-Contoocook), Deputy Ranking Democrat Rep. Dave Luneau (D-Hopkinton), Rep. Patricia Cornell (D-Manchester), Rep. Linda Tanner (D-Georges Milles), Rep. Arthur Ellison (D-Concord), Rep. Sue Mullen (D-Bedford), Rep. Steve Woodcock (D-Center Conway), and Rep. Marjorie Porter (D-Hillsborough), released the following statement:
“Commissioner Edelblut has displayed an arrogance discounting supporters of public education since taking office, and as elected officials committed to preserving our education system, we cannot stand idly by. Commissioner Edelblut is no stranger to fringe, right-wing groups and has repeatedly used his office to prioritize religious, private education ahead of our teachers and public schools.
The past year has put an enormous toll on our educators, who have been working overtime to not only teach but mitigate the risk of pandemic transmission in our classrooms, all while being belittled and often threatened by rowdy disrupters at school board meetings across the state. In the Commissioner’s recent meeting, he praised agitators who have shut down school board meetings and encouraged parents to fight commonsense mask policies in schools.
Governor Sununu has enabled Commissioner Edelblut’s use of his office to sow distrust in life-saving public health measures and in school boards themselves. If the past month is any indication, Governor Sununu must rebuke the GOP circus that has undermined our pandemic response and put our teachers and students at risk for their health and safety.”