Pence touts school choice in liberal capital of Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence touted alternatives to a public school education during a visit Tuesday to the state where the private school voucher program began, stopping in battleground Wisconsin for a noontime celebration in the state Capitol.

Pence, and U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos were both briefly drowned out by chants of “shame” from dozens of protesters who gathered one floor down in the Capitol building. The protesters, some carrying signs calling for the separation of church and state, also booed throughout their comments.

School choice — which includes private school vouchers, charter schools and other nontraditional options — has long been an issue that divides Republicans and Democrats, particularly in Wisconsin. Conservatives have championed offering students an alternative to public schools, giving Pence a chance to appeal to Republican voters in a swing state during national school choice week.

“I'm here in Wisconsin because this is where it all began,” Pence said.

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who signed the law creating the first voucher school in Milwaukee 30 years ago, attended the rally. Current Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat and longtime voucher school opponent, was not there.

Pence noted Evers' absence when mentioning that there was a bill pending in the Wisconsin Legislature, supported by Democrats, that would phase out choice schools in the state.

“I know the governor couldn’t be here with us today, so let’s make sure he hears this: We’re not going to let that happen,” Pence said to cheers and some boos from protesters.

Pence's visit came two weeks after he was with President Donald Trump for a campaign rally in Milwaukee, just down the street from where Democrats will gather for their national...