2nd teachers union endorses Donovan as lawmakers tackle reforms

The upcoming legislative session is supposed to focus in part on education reform, with Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy and new Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor leading the charge.

But obviously the General Assembly is a crucial player as well.

So it’s interesting to note the American Federation of Teachers today endorsed state House Speaker Christopher Donovan’s candidacy in the 5th Congressional District.

Donovan’s a union guy, so AFT’s backing comes as no surprise.

It does guarantee Donovan’s role in the reform process will be even more closely scrutinized in the coming weeks and months.

The other major teachers organization – the Connecticut Education Association – endorsed Donovan way back in October.

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MERIDEN, CT – AFT Connecticut announced their support for Democratic candidate for the Fifth Congressional District Chris Donovan today in Meriden. AFT Connecticut, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, represents more than 28,000 members in more than 90 local unions across Connecticut. AFT Connecticut represents teachers and school related personnel, state and municipal employees, healthcare professionals, and higher education faculty.

“Chris has been one of the strongest supporters of teachers, students and public education in Connecticut, so this was an easy decision for our union to make. We are proud to offer our endorsement to Chris Donovan, and we pledge to work hard for his election to Congress.” said Sharon Palmer, President of AFT Connecticut. “We trust Chris to fight for the issues important to students, parents and teachers – to improve our public schools, for increased access to early childhood education, and to make higher education more affordable. ”

“I thank the members of AFT Connecticut for their support and endorsement, and I’m excited to be working with them. From my experience teaching at the University of Hartford, I know just how difficult the jobs of these hard working teachers are, and how important. We must commit to supporting our students, teachers, and schools, to making early childhood education a reality for all of our children, and to bring higher education within reach for every student,” said Donovan.

AFT Connecticut joins former 5th CD Congressman Jim Maloney, Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman, Connecticut Working Families Party, the Newtown DTC, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Blue America, AFSCME Council 15, the Connecticut Council of Police, the Connecticut Education Association, the Connecticut State Council of Machinists, the IAFF – Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, United Auto Workers Region 9A, the Connecticut Laborers District Council, and the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 777 in endorsing Chris Donovan as the best candidate to fight for the families of Connecticut’s fifth congressional district.

Brian Lockhart