The Hawkins for Governor campaign welcomes today's endorsement by Diane Ravitch of Howie Hawkins for Governor and Brian Jones for Lt. Governor of New York.

Ms. Ravitch, a nationally known expert on education, has served in the administrations of President George H. W. Bush and President Bill Clinton. In a statement posted on her blog, Ms. Ravitch wrote, "I voted for Zephyr Teachout in the Democratic primary for three reasons: her position on education, on public integrity, and on the environment. And these are the reasons I will cast my ballot in November for the Green Party."

Mr. Hawkins stated "I am honored to have the endorsement of Diane Ravitch. I read her blog and recommend her most recent book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatizaton Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools, to everyone concerned about public education. At a time when the corporate education reformers like Governor Cuomo scapegoat teachers, underfund public schools, and push high-stakes testing linked to Common Core as way to justify the expansion of privately-managed charter schools, she has persistently brought forth real facts about how poverty, segregation, and inequitable school funding affect testing and achievement in public schools. She also exposes the corruption of private interests investing in politicians who then turn public education resources over to those same special interests. These are perspectives that our campaign shares."

Former New York City elementary school teacher, current doctoral student in urban education at the CUNY Graduate Center, and Lt. Governor candidate Brian Jones said "We are thrilled to have the endorsement of Diane Ravitch. Her support validates the the strong pro-public education stances that Howie Hawkins and I have taken".

Hawkins and Jones called on other supporters of Zephyr Teachout to join Ms. Ravitch in exploring the Hawkins / Jones platform and voicing support for Howie Hawkins for Governor and Brian Jones for Lt. Governor.

Ms. Ravitch's full statement can be found at her blog:

http://dianeravitch.net/2014/09/26/my-choice-for-governor-and-lt-governor-of-new-york-howie-hawkins-and-brian-jones/