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EXCLUSIVE: A prominent union watchdog group has initiated legal action alongside a Utah educator against the Utah Education Association, alleging that the organization misrepresented the use of its members’ dues in political dealings.
The Utah Education Association serves as the state branch of the National Education Association, which stands as the largest teachers’ union in the nation. Cole Kelley, a seasoned educator with 29 years in the field and a Republican member of the Utah State Board of Education, joins forces with the Freedom Foundation, a group aiming to protect public employees from political manipulation through litigation and advocacy.
The complaint, lodged in the 3rd District Court of Utah, contends that the UEA made multiple false claims on its website and social media outlets, asserting that “UEA member dues are never used for political activities.”
The Freedom Foundation highlighted that this statement was prominently displayed on the UEA’s website as well as on its social media platforms around March 26, 2025. On May 1 of that year, the organization approached the UEA to notify them of the inaccuracies and pointed out that these claims violated the Utah Truth in Advertising Act.
Shortly after, the lawsuit states, the UEA altered its messaging to specify, “UEA member dues are never used for political parties or candidates.” However, the Freedom Foundation claims this assertion also lacks truthfulness.
Kelley expressed to Fox News Digital that the lawsuit aims to reveal the realities of the UEA’s financial practices. Both Kelley and the Freedom Foundation are seeking $2,000 each in damages from the litigation.
Kelley remarked, “It’s imperative for the UEA to communicate transparently with educators in Utah regarding its activities, its advocacy stances, and its true intentions.” He emphasized that the union leanings appear predominantly leftist.
Furthermore, Kelley stated, “Teachers need to realize that their financial contributions are being utilized to support these political initiatives.”
The lawsuit lists several instances in which UEA and NEA contributions from member dues have been allocated to Utah’s political committees. For instance, it alleges that the UEA contributed over $30,000 to an organization named Protect Utah Workers in April 2025, divided across four separate transactions.
Some portion of member dues is directed to the NEA, and the lawsuit claims that the NEA also engages in politically motivated financial support.
The legal filing explains that the UEA’s statements were misleading because, “on information and belief, UEA members pay a unified dues rate that is distributed among a local NEA affiliate, the UEA, and the NEA itself, which uses its share of the dues, knowingly, to fund political parties and candidates with millions of dollars governed by the federal tax code as a political organization.”
The lawsuit further states that the NEA contributed approximately $35,000 to Protect Utah Workers, segmented into five payments in April 2025.
Maxford Nelsen, the Freedom Foundation’s director of research and government affairs, explained, “Unions such as the UEA often operate political action committees funded by voluntary contributions collected from members. They utilize these visible funds to avert inquiries regarding whether member dues contribute to political causes. Many teachers are unaware that the majority of political expenditures made by teachers’ unions, including the UEA, are financed through member dues.”
Kelley recounted that during his campaign for a position on the state education board, the UEA provided financial support to his opponent.
He affirmed, “The evidence clearly illustrates their left-leaning stance, particularly when examining their political donations at the NEA level. A significant portion of their resources supports Democratic candidates in various elections.”
He added, “I find it frustrating that the UEA misrepresents the truth to its members. They provide half-truths, misleading statements, and sometimes outright falsehoods regarding their activities and objectives.”
Ryan Walters, the former Oklahoma State Superintendent, now leads the Teacher Freedom Alliance. This new organization champions educators seeking to teach free from political bias.
Walters stated, “This lawsuit uncovers the tactics teachers’ unions have historically attempted to conceal. They operate a scheme that misappropriates taxpayer funds, redirecting dues into extreme political activism that potentially undermines American values. Both teachers and taxpayers deserve accountability regarding these practices, and we will hold these organizations to that standard.”
The UEA has declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuit. Attempts to obtain a response from the NEA went unanswered.
