I assumed teachers unions were going to become more responsive to members after the Janus v. AFSCME decision by the Supreme Court. Janus meant government school teachers in all 50 states could fully quit their unions without having to pay most of the dues anyway through so-called “agency fees.” Teachers unions would suddenly have to worry a lot more about representing all the rank and file, I thought, including conservative teachers, lest they leave and take their dues money with them.

But data from the Center for Responsive Politics prove otherwise. The American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association teachers unions have already donated more than $2.8 million and $2 million respectively to candidates and party groups, according to these 2020 data, and the support has overwhelmingly gone to Democrats.