Teachers Unions Begin Vetting 2020 Dems
The unions are planning to play a key role in selecting a Democratic candidate who can defeat President Donald Trump.
THE TWO NATIONAL teachers unions are beginning the vetting process for the large field of Democratic president contenders.
"Educators plan to be front and center in this conversation," NEA President Lily Eskelsen García said in a call with reporters Thursday during which she outlined the union's endorsement process. "We will make our presence felt in this election and will play a major role in choosing the next president of the United States."
The 3.5 million-member teachers union and the 1.7 million-member American Federation of Teachers are primed to flex their political muscle and open their purses this election cycle in order to oust President Donald Trump, whose signature education policy agenda – school choice – and proposals to slash K-12 spending are anathema to their goals.
Combined, the NEA and the AFT made $64 million in contributions to candidates, political parties, 527 committees and outside spending groups during the 2016 election cycle, according to Open Secrets, a nonprofit tracker of money in politics.
In order to win the endorsement of the NEA, candidates must complete and return a questionnaire and participate in a video interview with Eskelsen García. After that, the union's political action committee council – comprised of representatives from every state and its executive committee – makes a recommendation to the union's board of directors.
NEA recently launched a website to keep members informed about where the candidates stand on key issues, share election events, submit questions for the candidates, watch videos of the candidates and provide news from the campaign trail.
On a call with reporters, Eskelsen García called the timing of the endorsement "very, very fluid."
The AFT process differs slightly, requiring presidential candidates to engage directly its union members in a live event, which could include, the union's regulations state, meeting members at the workplace, participating in candidate forums or joining Facebook live forums.
Weingarten has said that, given the extensive field of 2020 Democratic hopefuls, she doesn't expect making an endorsement until next spring. CONTINUE READING: Teachers Unions Begin Vetting Democratic Presidential Contenders | Education News | US News
