Texas' largest teacher organization, the Texas State Teacher's Organization (TSTA) will endorse Carole Keeton Strayhorn for Governor of Texas today.  The TSTA is the state affiliate of the National Education Agency (NEA) the largest teacher organization in the country. 

The organization is generally considered the most liberal of several state organizations that represent teachers and retired teachers.  The fact that the TSTA is endorsing a Strayhorn candidacy that will extend to November is bad news for Democrats Chris Bell and Bob Gammage as the winner of the Democratic primary would normally expect to recieve the teacher endorsement.  The fact TSTA is backing Republican Strayhorn who is seeking the office as an independent on the ballot means a base constituency for Democrats has abandoned them.

It also provides a strong base for Strayhorn.  Few TSTA members vote Republicans in a General Election and the organizations support means a base of workers and money for the Comptroller that she would likely not have had in a March GOP primary.  The organization's endorsement may also provide a signal to other normally Democratic constituents that Strayhorn is the real November option and not either Democrat.

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