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Yonkers, NY – Monday, the New York State United Teachers, the AFL-CIO- and NEA-affiliated teacher’s union, endorsed Congressman Jamaal Bowman for re-election in New York’s 16th Congressional District. NYSUT represents more than 600,000 teachers in New York State and the union is a stalwart in the fight for the interests of educators and students alike.
“As an educator himself, Congressman Bowman knows what it takes to provide a high-quality public education to every student, and he’s a staunch ally in our fight for the resources and policies that put public schools and colleges at the center of every community,” NYSUT President Andy Pallotta said. “We’re proud to support his bid for re-election and know we can achieve even more for our students and educators working together in the years ahead.”
“I am proud to be endorsed by NYSUT,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman. “I’ve always said once an educator, always an educator – and I have taken that mentality with me to Congress. Teachers and educators are the backbone of this country and right now, they are not only facing the aftermath of a pandemic, but also the radical right-wing attacks on teaching racial justice. It is vital that we do everything we can to support them, which is why I am proud to fight for them in Congress and why I am excited to receive the NYSUT endorsement today. I look forward to continuing to work with NYSUT to achieve our shared goal of a robust and equitable education system.”
As a longtime educator, Congressman Bowman understands the importance of the work that teachers do, as well as the enormity of the challenges they face. His experience has informed the actions he takes in congress every single day. In his first year in Congress, Rep. Bowman introduced the Green New Deal for Public Schools, a robust piece of legislation that would invest $1.43 million in public schools and infrastructure. He also introduced a bill that would improve diversity in STEM programs, demanded that we protect education spending from budget cuts, and urged the Secretary of Education to waive standardized testing during the pandemic – citing ongoing trauma for students. Most recently, Rep. Bowman introduced the Legacy Admissions Reform Bill, a bill that would ensure equity in the admissions process by reforming the legacy and donor admissions practices in universities across the country.
The NYSUT endorsement adds to Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s strong support from organized labor which also includes the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFSCME District Council 37, and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. They join the ever-growing list of progressive organizations and officials that have endorsed Congressman Bowman for re-election, serving as a testament to the Congressman’s progressive zeal and commitment to standing with the people of New York’s 16th Congressional District.
Additional endorsements include the Working Families Party, The Jewish Vote, the Sunrise Movement, Community Voices Heard, Make the Road, NARAL, Brady PAC, the Council of School Supervisors & Administrators (CSA), NYPAN, NYIC, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and Arab American Democratic Action Fund.
Congressman Bowman is also proud to have the support of his congressional colleagues: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.
