Once sleepy campaign issue, education gains clout (AP) — Middle school art teacher Cynthia Bliss laced up her sneakers, grabbed a jacket and spent most of a recent Saturday asking strangers to help her oust Republican Gov. Scott Walker from office. The 3 million-member National Education Association has sent almost $8 million to political allies such as the Democratic Governors Association. Walker defends his moves, saying they saved taxpayers $3 billion and allowed school districts, city and county governments to hire — and fire — employees without worrying about union contracts or benefits. Walker won praise from administrators; Milwaukee's public schools slashed more than $1 billion off its long-term pension obligations. Sullivan's frustration with Walker's policies moved the 39-year-old mother of three from a ho-hum voter to one of the first people to sign up to volunteer. Spending on the Wisconsin governor's race now tops $18 million, according to an analysis from the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity. Spending on ads slightly favors Walker in his race against Democratic nominee Mary Burke, a former Trek Bicycle executive and a school board member in Madison.