As Minnesota heads toward another election season, Education Minnesota’s political action committee (PAC) has already spent nearly $2 million supporting candidates and political causes. More spending is expected before Election Day.
According to the union’s most recent Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure report for 2026, over half of the PAC’s spending (about $1.1 million) has gone directly to DFL political party units — the DFL House and Senate Caucuses and the Minnesota DFL State Central Committee. Contributions directly to candidates have totaled $12,400 so far, all of which have gone to current DFL officeholders and DFL candidates. Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s campaign has received $4,000, while Secretary of State Steve Simon’s campaign has received $2,000.
The PAC is also financially supporting local school tax referendum campaigns. Those expenditures include mailers, phone banking, and other voter outreach intended to increase approval of local property tax increases.
Educators who disagree with these political priorities, or who just don’t want the union focused on politics, are not required to support the PAC, but to get the annual PAC contribution refunded they must request it each year. Education Minnesota increased the contribution from $25 to $30 per member last year. While a modest amount, for many educators it is a matter of principle because of the political causes and politicians the dollars fund. Members must fill out and sign the PAC refund request form available in the union’s magazine Minnesota Educator and mail it to Education Minnesota’s accounting department before the deadline. A more member-driven approach would allow educators to provide affirmative consent before PAC contributions are collected.
Outside of the PAC contribution, Education Minnesota uses union dues to fund political activities and lobbying, which it self-reports in its annual federal filing to the U.S. Department of Labor. In its most recent available filing, which covers Sept. 1, 2024-Aug. 31, 2025, Education Minnesota reported spending over $3.5 million on political activities and lobbying. Minnesota teachers also pay dues to the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association that get spent on their political activities and lobbying.
Minnesota union members pay around $1,000 annually in combined local, state, and national dues — local dues vary, which affects the total amount. State and national dues increased for the 2025-26 membership year, and state dues have increased every year since at least 2014-15.
From Sept. 1-Sept. 30, educators get to decide if union membership remains the right choice for them. If you are a Minnesota educator who no longer wishes to bankroll the union’s political spending, you can submit a customized resignation letter during September and check out these professional educator associations that provide liability coverage, legal protection, and other benefits for a fraction of the cost of dues and without the politics.
