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Go deeper: Teachers running for office to unseat funding opponents

Teachers striking at the Oklahoma Capital
Teachers striking at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Photo: J Pat Carter/Getty Images

After a half dozen teacher protests throughout the spring, teachers are taking their actions in their fight for equal pay from the street to the ballot box.

The big picture: Teachers in both Kentucky and Oklahoma — who participated in walkouts and strikes to advocate for higher teacher pay and better quality classrooms for their students during the winter and spring — have already unseated traditional candidates in battles for seats in the state legislature.

By the numbers:

Notable winners:

Why it matters: These victories by educators are evidence to incumbent politicians in other states that their protests have worked and people are in favor of raising teacher pay across the country.

What to watch: Arizona's primary election is on August 28. Teachers will look to make a similar impact.

Go deeper: Why teachers are walking out of the classroom

Teacher strike