NPE Action endorses Josh Cowen for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District
The Network for Public Education Action proudly endorses Josh Cowen for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. Josh Cowen is running to champion public schools, affordable healthcare, good jobs, and a cost of living that works for all families—not for billionaires like Betsy DeVos. A professor of education policy at Michigan State University and a charter member of the Michigan Education Association, Josh is also an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church in East Lansing.
Josh is a national leader in the fight against school vouchers and privatization. He has studied voucher programs and school choice policies for nearly two decades, and has testified, published, and spoken widely on their harmful effects. He was recently named the 2025 Friend of Education by the National Education Association—the organization’s highest honor—and previously served as a Senior Fellow at the Education Law Center. His new book, The Privateers, exposes how voucher schemes fuel the broader culture wars.
Josh has made it clear: his top priority is resisting Donald Trump’s radical second-term agenda. He will fight to protect democracy, defend the Constitution, and build an economy that works for everyone. After addressing that immediate threat, Josh will push for deep reinvestment in public education—proposing increased funding for educator pay, HVAC upgrades, smaller class sizes, and career and technical education. He supports college access for all, while ensuring students without degrees are not consigned to poverty.
Here’s what Josh told us about his positions on issues of importance:
Test scores to evaluate teachers: “No. As a trained researcher I acknowledge some studies showed mixed results on this question (just as I acknowledge the existence of a handful of studies showing a positive school voucher result while remaining a fierce voucher critic), but on the whole the use of test scores to evaluate teachers was a failed policy initiative. I also believe it’s the wrong way to encourage professional development.”
Vouchers: “I oppose all public funding for private schools, and am the nation’s foremost authority on this question at this point.”
Josh emphasized that Michigan’s population decline is forcing tough economic choices—and public schools are feeling the strain. As enrollment drops but fixed costs remain, many districts are left in crisis—especially in areas saturated with charter schools. Meanwhile, relentless attacks on public education and the teaching profession are eroding trust and threatening the educator pipeline. While schools must always strive for improvement, Josh believes that’s impossible without stable, long-term funding. Yet, weeks after the July 1st deadline, the Michigan Legislature has still failed to pass a school aid budget. With the school year fast approaching, districts remain uncertain about their funding. Josh calls this unacceptable and unsustainable.
NPE Action urges Michigan public education supporters to get out the vote for Josh in the primary election on August 26, 2026.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. Authorized and paid for by Network for Public Education Action, PO Box 227. New York, NY 10156. 646-678-4477.