ALBANY, N.Y. April 26, 2018 — New York State United Teachers today backed Rochester-area Assemblyman Joe Morelle’s bid for the 25th Congressional District seat vacated by the death of U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter.
In addition, NYSUT threw its support behind U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney; U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel; U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan; and U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke in the June congressional primary.
NYSUT President Andy Pallotta praised Morelle as a fighter for the middle class and a stalwart defender of public education during his years in the state Assembly.
“If there’s been one constant in Albany over nearly three decades, it’s that Joe Morelle has been a true friend to public education and working families,” Pallotta said. “He embodies the best of what a public servant should be. Joe Morelle is a worthy candidate to accept the torch that beloved Congresswoman Slaughter carried for the district for so long.”
The NYSUT Board of Directors also recommended that its national affiliates endorse Maloney, Clark, Engel and Donovan in the June congressional primary. Pallotta called Maloney “a champion of working people and public education in the halls of Congress” and said the union would work to propel her — and the others — to victory. NYSUT previously endorsed U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley of the Bronx and Queens.
Candidates value a NYSUT endorsement. It means the passion and energy of volunteer activists who hand out literature, work phone banks and attend rallies, as well as financial contributions to help defray the cost of campaigns.
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.