One of the clearest lessons of the 2018 elections: When more good people run for office, more good people are elected. Simple as that!
That’s the idea behind the NYSUT Candidate Pipeline for our members. “It has never been more clear that educators are needed in public service,” said President Andy Pallotta. “If we are ever to achieve true representation for our communities and our profession, we need NYSUT members to take on the challenge of running for office.”
The 2018 election results demonstrate the power of the Pipeline. One NYSUT Pipeline candidate won as an underdog in a key state Senate district, helping create a decisive proeducation majority in the Senate! Two other Pipeline candidates (one a challenger and the other an incumbent), won in the state Assembly.
Here are some of our successes from last November:
- Monica Martinez, a former Brentwood educator, elected to the state Senate.
- Pat Burke, United University Professions, elected to the Assembly.
- Monica Wallace, UUP, re-elected to the Assembly.
- Michelle Roman, a graduate of NYSUT’s Member Organizing Institute, elected Lockport mayor.
- Nicole Terminelli, Massena Federation of Teachers, elected to the St. Lawrence County Legislature.
- Francesca Hagadus, retired Chappaqua teacher, elected to the Mount Pleasant Town Board.
- Brian LaVine, Retiree Council 12, elected to the Cobleskill Town Council.
“From your local school board to city hall to Albany and beyond, you can make a difference by running for office,” Pallotta said.
NYSUT is currently offering a comprehensive six-week training program for prospective candidates that teaches everything you need to know about running for office, from developing a message to targeting voters and from fundraising to building the right team.
To learn more, visit www.nysut.org/pipeline; if you are interested in future trainings, contact your regional political organizer, www.nysut.org/RPO.
