Penny Schwinn out as nominee for Education Department’s No. 2 job after conservative pushback

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Former Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn has withdrawn her nomination to serve in the No. 2 spot in the Trump Education Department.

The U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday that Schwinn would serve instead as a senior adviser and chief strategist, roles that do not require Senate confirmation.

Schwinn enjoyed a good reputation among conservative education advocates for her work in Tennessee to boost reading proficiency and target pandemic relief dollars toward academic recovery. Schwinn was the second name President Donald Trump announced to lead his Education Department, after Secretary Linda McMahon, even before he was sworn into office.

Advocates hoped her education experience would complement McMahon’s background in business and administration. Her perspective as a former state schools chief would be particularly valuable, they said, as Trump sought to “return education to the states,” they said.

However, cultural conservatives in Tennessee mounted a campaign against Schwinn’s nomination. They felt she slow-walked implementation of state restrictions on reading material. They also pointed to her support for social and emotional learning initiatives and her backing of certain reading curriculums opposed by groups such as Moms for Liberty.

Critics also raised questions about Schwinn’s business dealings. Florida business filings indicated that she made plans to start an education consulting business with former Palm Beach County superintendent Donald Fennoy after she was nominated. The 74 reported that Schwinn and Fennoy filed paperwork to dissolve the company shortly before her confirmation hearing.

At her confirmation hearing in June, Schwinn pledged her alignment with Trump’s education agenda.

In the press release, Schwinn said she had made the decision “after thoughtful consideration about how I can best contribute at this moment in a way that supports progress for students and education.”

“I’m grateful to President Trump and Secretary McMahon, and remain committed to protecting kids, raising achievement and expanding opportunity — my lifelong mission and north star,” Schwinn said.

McMahon thanked Schwinn in a statement and noted that she would still have a role in the department.

“I am grateful to Dr. Schwinn for her commitment to serving students, families and educators across the nation,” McMahon said. “Penny is a brilliant education mind, and I look forward to continue working with her as my Chief Strategist to Make Education Great Again.”

Michael Petrilli, president of the conservative Thomas B. Fordham Institute, said Schwinn’s withdrawal reflects poorly on the Republican Party.

“This is a big loss for the country for the Department of Education,” he said. “Shame on the Republicans for refusing to show any spine.”

Erica Meltzer is Chalkbeat’s national editor based in Colorado. Contact Erica at [email protected].

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.