July 16, 2015
Compiled by Steve Wishnia and Neal Tepel
The 1.6 million-member union was the first major labor group to take sides in the Democratic presidential campaign. “Hillary Clinton, a product of public schools herself, believes in the promise of public education,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “From early childhood learning through higher education, she sees how that promise can create real opportunity for kids, building a much-needed bridge to the middle class.” The former Secretary of State has made education one of her main issues, and is also a longtime ally and friend of Weingarten’s. The endorsement gives Clinton a boost in her campaign against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has been backed by two state AFL-CIO groups, and will also enable her to benefit from the AFT’s massive phone-banking and canvassing operations.
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