The RNC spokesperson argued that the former governor’s comments reflect the entire Democratic Party’s view that “politicians and unions and labor unions know better about how to teach children than parents themselves.”

But Democrats and their allies are choosing to lean harder into the issue of coronavirus restrictions at schools, arguing that the safety of children, teachers and staff should take priority.

“If we do not do what it takes to keep them safe, children could potentially die,” Seawright said.

And on the debate over critical race theory — an area of legal academia that argues systemic racism is rooted in the nation’s founding — Democrats argue that conservatives are spreading a false narrative.

“You have the exploitation of the anxiety and the misinformation that leads to a very toxic brew,” said Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers. “You see that over the issue of masks, you see that over the issue of vaccines, you see that over the issue of teaching history,” she continued, adding that critical race theory is not taught in public schools.