Colorado Candidate Hides Support for Common Core to Get Votes

Around the nation, the hot election issue is Common Core. Voters—both conservatives and liberals—are looking for candidates who vow to fight Common Core and the philosophy behind it. And because of this, pro-Common Core Republican candidates like Loren Bauman avoid using the phrase Common Core.
Bauman’s bid in the Colorado primary race to unseat incumbent Representative Justin Everett (House District 22) is an example that highlights the impact of Common Core on primaries. District voters reported in Facebook posts that Everett’s primary opponent publicly stated in a candidate venue that he supports Common Core. No link audio or video could be found of Bauman explicitly stating his support of Common Core. However, at the June 5th South JeffCo Republican Breakfast, Bauman made questionable statements indicating his support of a centrally controlled education system that begins and ends in Washington, DC. An anonymous source shared that Bauman made statements expressing support for standardized testing, at the federal, state and local levels. According to the souce, Bauman’s statements in totality was a clear implication of his support for a federal curriculum and federally controlled standards. This is contrary to what Bauman states on his Web site, which grammatical errors and all, gives the impression that he might be against Common Core:
“I support high standards for students and teachers and recognize that good teachers should have the freedom to help their students become proficient and to excel in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Standardized test need to focus on the level of knowledge in these fundamental areas that set the students up for success in future endeavors. More freedom for teachers and less time spent in taking tests and preparation will prepare our kids for success in life and in college. While guidelines are a good idea, standards should be set at the state level.”
So is Loren Bauman for or against Common Core?
A big “tell” regarding his secretive pro-Common Core stance is an endorsement by the organization Stand for Children—which has been under scrutiny for allegations that it created a petition with fake signatures in support of Common Core. Stand for Children loves Common Core and candidates who support it—even if those candidates don’t explicitly say this on their Web sites. Stand for Children endorsed Loren Bauman.
On the other hand, Stop Common Core Colorado endorsed incumbent Justin Everett.
Another tip off regarding Bauman’s support of Common Core is who donated to his campaign. Bauman received the maximum allowable donation from a political action committee which calls itself Murray PAC. Who is behind this PAC? None other than Representative “Common Core Carole Murray” of Castle Rock, CO. Murray is known for her fervent support of Common Core and being married to Lisle Gates, a consultant for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a curriculum company which stands to profit from Common Core.
As a candidate, Loren Bauman earns an “F” for supporting Common Core.