EXCLUSIVE: A legal showdown is unfolding as a union watchdog and a Utah educator are taking aim at the Utah Education Association (UEA). The lawsuit accuses the UEA of misleading claims about the use of members’ dues, alleging they falsely asserted these funds are never allocated for political purposes.

The UEA, representing Utah’s educators, is aligned with the National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers’ union in the United States. Cole Kelley, a seasoned educator with nearly three decades of experience and a Republican serving on the Utah State Board of Education, has joined forces with the Freedom Foundation to challenge these claims. The foundation is known for advocating the rights of public employees, often utilizing legal measures to combat what it perceives as political exploitation.

This lawsuit, lodged in Utah’s 3rd District Court, argues that the UEA published misleading information on its digital platforms, including their website and social media, stating unequivocally that “UEA member dues are never used for political activities.”

Utah Education Association members gathered at the Utah state capitol to protest over funding issues on February 7, 2025. (Photo Credit: KTSU)

The Freedom Foundation asserts that these statements were publicly available on the UEA’s website, as well as on its X and Facebook accounts, around March 26, 2025. On May 1, 2025, the foundation reportedly contacted the UEA, arguing that the statements were erroneous and violated the Utah Truth in Advertising Act.

Days later, according to the suit, the UEA changed the statement to say, “UEA member dues are never used for political parties or candidates.” Freedom Foundation says that assertion is also false.

Kelley told Fox News Digital that the lawsuit is meant to expose the truth. Kelley and Freedom Foundation are only seeking $2,000 each in damages.

“I think that it’s time for the UEA to tell the teachers in Utah the truth about what they do, what they represent, what they stand for, what they’re advocating for,” said Kelley, adding that the union’s politics are clearly left-leaning.

“And I think it’s important for teachers to understand that when you join, your dollars are going towards supporting these political activities,” he said.

A Utah Education Association member holds a sign during a rally at the Utah state capitol over funding on February 7, 2025. (Credit: KTSU)

The lawsuit lists several examples of UEA and NEA “dues-funded” contributions to “Utah political committees.” For example, the suit claims that more than $30,000 was given by the UEA to a group called Protect Utah Workers split over four separate contributions in April 2025.

A portion of UEA dues are kicked up to the NEA, and the lawsuit claims that NEA also supports political causes.

Thus, the lawsuit says the UEA’s statements were false because, “on information and belief, UEA members pay a single, unified dues rate which is apportioned among a local NEA affiliate, the UEA, and the NEA, which — with UEA’s knowledge — uses its share of UEA members’ dues to support and/or oppose political parties and candidates with millions of dollars in spending each year, with most of the expenditures done through the NEA Advocacy Fund, a ‘political organization’ for the purposes of federal tax code.”

The lawsuit says that the NEA contributed about $35,000 to Protect Utah Workers, split over five payments in April 2025.

Utah Education Association members hold signs during a rally at the Utah State Capitol over funding on February 7, 2025. (Credit: KTSU)

“Unions like the UEA often operate a political action committee funded by voluntary contributions solicited from members and use these highly visible funds to deflect questions about whether members’ dues are used for politics,” said Maxford Nelsen, the Freedom Foundation’s director of research and government affairs. “Unbeknownst to most teachers, the vast majority of teachers unions’ political spending is financed with member dues, and the UEA is no different.”

Kelley said that when he ran for the state education board position as a Republican, the UEA contributed to his opponent.

“There’s no question that they are left-leaning and that’s — you know, when you go look at their donations, especially at the NEA level, and you look at their donations to campaigns — they, by a very large margin, support the Democratic Party and are making significant donations to Democrat candidates for office,” he said.

“My big frustration is that, you know, I feel like that what they’re telling their members and what they are telling those teachers that do choose to join their organization — that they’re not being forthright, they’re not being honest— they’re telling half-truths, mis-truths and sometimes flat-out lies.”

Utah Education Association members rally at the Utah State Capitol over funding on February 7, 2025. (Credit: KTSU)

Ryan Walters is the former Oklahoma state superintendent. He now runs the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a new union alternative which supports educators who wish to teach free from ideological bias.

“This lawsuit exposes what teachers unions have long tried to hide: a coordinated taxpayer-funding scheme that funnels dues into radical political activism aimed at undermining America,” Walters said. “The abuse of both teachers and taxpayers will not go unnoticed, and these organizations will be held accountable.”

The UEA said it does not comment on pending litigation. 

The NEA did not return a request for comment.