Sue Ek-Zach Dorholt debate recap

Monday night, Sue Ek and Zach Dorholt debated the major issues from the studios of KVSC on the St. Cloud State campus. One of the major topics discussed was education funding. Squarely put Dorholt in the more-money-status-quo category. According to the recap article, "Dorholt said Minnesota needs to make sure schools have enough money to serve students. Dorholt said, 'The state needs to set up and fund these mandates.' He said special education and English language services are example areas where schools can face additional costs. He also talked about housing instability among students. District 742 estimates that hundreds of families could experience housing instability this school year."

These are separate issues. State government mandating specific programs force school districts to use money in specific ways rather than using money in ways that best help students. This leads to a one-size-fits-all system that fails students. Sue Ek, by comparison, "focused more on school choice and what students are learning in classrooms. She said parents should have more choices in their children’s education and emphasized basic skills and curriculum. Ek said voters she has spoken with are divided between concerns about curriculum and school choice. 'It’s about 50/50.' She said 'They're concerned about curriculum but its a spinoff because if they don't have school choice, they can't really control the curriculum.'"

The Dorholt model consists of the theory that more money in produces better performances outy. As graduation rates improve, test scores have dropped. Further, parents have become more dissatisfied with their options. School choice creates competition, which is the last thing unions want. Competition forces unions to produce a product that matches their competitors' results.

Boys in Girls' sports

Near the end of the debate, Ek and Dorholt asked each other question. Ek asked Dorholt about a 2025 letter he signed supporting transgender inclusion in sports and how he would protect women and girls in athletics.

Dorholt said the issue is personal because he is the father of three girls and coached girls soccer for five years. He said he signed the letter because he supports Minnesota’s non-discrimination laws. "Every time we bring up this issue, it is purposefully divisive," Dorholt said. He said the debate on the topic can distract from other issues voters are worried about, including the cost of living, property taxes and wages. Dorholt added that decisions about fairness in sports should involve the Minnesota State High School League, coaches, teachers and students.

That's a dodge and then some. Does Dorholt think that Minnesota's anti-discrimination laws protect girls better than Title IX, the federal anti-discrimination law that was written in part by Ted Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey? Does Dorholt think it's fair to have physically superior athletes compete against women? Watch this, then decide:

Serena and Venus Williams are, according to Riley Gaines, "phenoms" in women's tennis. According to Gaines' testimony, both women "lost to the 203-ranked men's player. Does Dorholt want physically superior male athletes competing against his daughters? has Dorholt read this article? He should read this:

A high school volleyball player who suffered severe head and neck injuries resulting in long-term concussion symptoms after a girl she says is transgender spiked a ball in her face is now speaking out publicly for the first time.

"Due to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association policy allowing biological males to compete against biological females my life has forever been changed," Payton McNabb, now a senior at Hiwassee Dam High School in Murphy, North Carolina, said during a Thursday committee hearing of the North Carolina state legislature.

Is this REALLY a personal issue with Dorholt or is it a highly ideological issue? Honestly, it sounds like it's an ideological decision. If it's a deeply a deeply personal issue, why isn't Dorholt putting his daaughters' safety before everything else? Honestly, I don't want an ideologue representing me. I'd prefer someone with common sense. Finally, if it's a deeply personal issue, why did Dorholt say that it's a distraction? If your daughters' safety at school is a distraction, shame on him.