Margaret Spellings, who is an expert on education and domestic issues, served as Secretary of Education and Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy under President George W. Bush. Before her tenure as Education Secretary, Spellings was responsible for developing and implementing important education reforms in Texas as a Senior Advisor for then Governor George W. Bush. From the White House to the Texas State House, Margaret Spellings has helped shape education policy at all levels of government.

"Florence has delivered results for students and teachers in Texas, and I believe she can and will bring that same results-oriented leadership to the United States Senate," said Spellings. "I support her candidacy and look forward to working with her campaign on matters of education and domestic policy."

Bill Bennett served as Secretary of Education under President Ronald Reagan before being appointed to the post of Director of National Drug Control Policy by President George H.W. Bush. Bennett is also a well-known conservative pundit and bestselling author who currently hosts a weekday radio program Morning in America.

"I have known Florence for quite a while, and her passion and commitment to improving education are well known. What a great thing it would be for education and for Texas to have Florence Shapiro in the United States Senate." said Bennett. "Education is the key to our long term economic prosperity, and it's vital that we have a United States Senator who knows the issues and is prepared to make a difference on day one. At no time has the accumulation of intellectual capital been more critical for the youth of our country.

Shapiro, a former public school teacher, has stated that education will be a key plank in her United States Senate platform. Shapiro said she believes educational preparation and retraining, rather than federal bailouts for depressed industries, is the bootstrap approach for economic recovery preferred by most Texans. "Through proper education policy, government needs to be helping our citizens get jobs through ability, not dependency," Shapiro strongly emphasized.

"I am humbled to have the support of two conservative stalwarts who have played such instrumental roles in shaping our country's education policy," said Shapiro. "From my duties as a State Senator and from feedback in our U.S. Senate Exploratory Committee, we have found and confirmed the strong sentiment for economic recovery through expanded ability, not from expanded welfare. ‘Education Equals Jobs' is the battle cry that is becoming popular with our Exploratory Committee."

During the past legislative session that ended June 1st, Shapiro was named "Best of the Legislature 2009" by Capitol Inside for her efforts with passing several key pieces of education legislation. Shapiro's successful initiatives included a new statewide accountability plan, Top 10% college admission law reform, a Tier One state university plan, increased teacher pay, lower taxes on school supplies and other education reforms vital to an educated and prepared workforce for Texas.

Shapiro's exploratory committee has also received support from Hall of Fame quarterback/businessman Roger Staubach, 15 of 19 Republicans in the Texas State Senate, four former Texas Federation of Republican Women presidents and thousands of individuals across the state.

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