2-Oct-Nov 2020 ELECTION pp 12-20 Advisor

October–November 2020 • Volume 63, Number 2 Published by the Connecticut Education Association • cea.org SPECIAL ELECTION EDITION

VOTE

YOUR FUTURE IS AT STAKE ✔ SCHOOL FUNDING ✔ COVID-19 SAFETY ✔ STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT ✔ TEACHER RIGHTS ✔ SALARIES AND PENSIONS ✔ SOCIAL AND RACIAL JUSTICE ✔ EQUITY IN EDUCATION

DECIDING

2 CEA ADVISOR OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2020

ELECTION 2020 YOUR VOTE, YOUR FUTURE

From collective bargaining rights to education funding and school safety, the outcome of the 2020 presidential election will have far-reaching effects on public education and the teaching profession. Teachers have an important obligation and opportunity to make their voices heard on November 3. Over the last four years, this country has seen one of the most sustained protest movements in decades—#RedforEd—which mobilized tens of thousands of teachers across the country to march on their state capitols protesting low salaries, poor working conditions, and chronic underfunding of schools. In addition to massive education budget cuts, President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have proposed schemes that divert federal tax dollars to private school vouchers. While the President has accused our nation’s public

“You are the most important profession in the United States. You are the ones that give these kids wings. You give them confidence. You let them believe in themselves. You equip them. And I promise you, you will never find in American history a President who is more teacher-centric and more supportive of teachers than me,” Biden told nearly 8,000 delegates at the National Education Association’s virtual Representative Assembly this summer. As we have learned from Bob Woodward’s tapes and other sources, on the other hand, Donald Trump was pushing to reopen school buildings while intentionally downplaying the pandemic and claiming children were immune—something he admitted knowing wasn’t true. NEA has endorsed Joe Biden for president of the United States Teachers

applaud Joe Biden’s plan to fire Betsy DeVos on his first day in office and replace her with an education secretary who comes from a public school classroom and believes that educators are essential partners in crafting education policy. His plan includes dismantling the systemic racism that prevents too many Native, Black, and Hispanic Americans from reaching their full potential, mounting an effective crisis response to the COVID-19 pandemic based on sound science and medicine, and providing the necessary funding to support our nation’s teachers, students, and public schools. Read more about where the candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, stand on education. See facing page.

schools of teaching children to “hate their own country,” his son Donald Jr., campaigning for his father, has similarly referred to the indoctrination of students by “loser teachers.” Former Vice President Joe Biden, who has consistently reached out to educators across the country with his wife and longtime educator/NEA member Dr. Jill Biden, pledges, “When we win this election, you’ll get the support you need and the respect you deserve.” Biden attended all three of NEA’s presidential forums—in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Texas—and listened to teachers on the front lines of the COVID crisis about the heroic ways in which they’ve supported their students and communities, and what is needed to safely reopen schools.

“In addition to getting the raises you deserve, we’re going to get you the resources you need. We’re going to double the number of school psychologists and counselors and nurses and social workers at school. Mental health is an enormous issue, and the need has only been exacerbated by this pandemic on both educators as well as students. There’s a whole lot more in my plan.” Former Vice President Joe Biden

Educators Vow to Honor RBG Legacy by Continuing Fight for Education Justice After the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, teachers and students mourned the

A New Education Secretary? The outcome of the presidential election could bring changes to the U.S. Department of Education—something educators welcome. If elected, Joe Biden has said he would replace Betsy DeVos, the least-qualified U.S. secretary of education in our nation’s history, with a well-qualified, pro-

education person to lead the nation’s public schools. “I can’t wait for the departure of Donald Trump and the chance to replace Betsy DeVos and the opportunity for us to make a whole lot of progress together,” says Biden, “because I’m confident—I’m absolutely confident—we can. And I want to assure you this is going to be a teacher-oriented Department of Education, and it’s not going to come from the top down. It’s coming from the teachers up.” The nation’s first education secretary with zero public school experience, DeVos has long led efforts to defund

longtime advocate of equity and justice and commemorated her remarkable 27-year service on the nation’s highest court. A steadfast proponent of school desegregation, strict separation of church and state, gender equity in schools and workplaces, and the rights of students at all levels of education, Justice Ginsburg was the second woman ever to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Her first opinion on an

Betsy DeVos

education-related matter came in the case of Missouri v. Jenkins , where she dissented from a decision overturning a Kansas City desegregation plan.

and privatize public education. In her home state of Michigan, she was one of the architects of a failed charter school system that downplays regulation and accountability while draining resources from public schools. Earlier this year, she used federal coronavirus relief funds to create a $180 million voucher program for private and religious schools, ordering states to redistribute CARES Act funds to private schools.

“As educators, we know that she is now considered, and always will be, a teacher and champion of racial and social justice,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “Her loss is more than a seat on the nine-justice Supreme Court; her loss is devastating and will be felt for generations. NEA members will honor her legacy by redoubling our efforts to fight for justice.”

Continuous calls for deep cuts to federal funding included a budget proposal for fiscal year 2021 that would slash education funding by $6.1 billion. Her proposals have included a 26 percent reduction in state grants for special education, and her claims have included statements such as, “Students may be better served by being in larger classes.” With regard to safe learning environments, she has pushed for the use of federal dollars to supply guns to schools, and she has pushed for a full- time, in-person reopening of schools in the midst of a global pandemic. “The job of the secretary of education is to support and strengthen our public education system,” says CEA President Jeff Leake. “Betsy DeVos seems determined to do just the opposite.”

IN THIS ISSUE 2-3 DECIDING

Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden have vastly different views on public education. A side-by-side comparison makes clear why Biden has earned the endorsement of our state’s and nation’s teachers’ unions. 4-5 RE-ELECTING With a strong history of fighting for students, teachers, and public education, Connecticut’s five Congressional incumbents—all endorsed by CEA and earning top marks on NEA’s Report Card—seek to continue working on your behalf in the halls of Congress. 7-9 VOTING Learn about CEA’s Report Card for legislators, meet the education champions seeking your vote for Connecticut’s General Assembly, and see how casting your ballot will be different this year.

Connecticut teachers, parents, and students came out in full force to protest the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education.

DECIDING

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2020 CEA ADVISOR 3

BIDEN (D) ON THE ISSUES

TRUMP (R) ON THE ISSUES

Education Funding Supports increased opportunities for students and educators. According to Biden, “Educators deserve a partner in the White House.” His plan for education includes tripling funding for Title I, eliminating funding disparities between schools, ensuring families have access to support services and modernized school buildings, and increasing the federal government’s investment in educators. He believes “educators shouldn’t have to fight so hard for resources and respect.” COVID-19 Reopening Schools Understands that schools need resources now more than ever. “Americans deserve a president who will ensure that reopening is as effective and safe as possible.” In his plan, Biden assures that his administration would mobilize the federal government, in cooperation with educators, childcare providers, unions, communities, and families. To safely reopen schools, he recommends federal resources for food relief, PPE, and enhanced sanitation efforts, especially for Title I schools; alterations to classrooms, schedules, class sizes, and transportation so that students can physically distance; upgraded technology and broadband; support for social-emotional learning; and training for educators, parents, and students as they adapt to new circumstances.

Education Funding Supports public money for private schools. His administration supports cutting education programs by $5 billion to fund a federal voucher program for private school scholarships.

COVID-19 Reopening Schools Open or else. Ignoring his own White House guidelines and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, Trump has demanded that schools reopen to in-person classes or he “may cut off funding.” Repeatedly rejecting science and the realities of the pandemic, he and his administration failed to prepare the country for a virus that has so far cost more than 210,000 Americans their lives and put tens of millions of Americans out of work.

Union and Workers’ Rights Supports union and workers’ rights. To ensure public school teachers have a greater voice in the decisions that impact their students and their working conditions, Biden would establish minimum collective bargaining rights and create a cabinet-level working group to promote unions.

Union and Workers’ Rights Opposes unions and the rights of workers. Publicly Trump aligns himself with American workers but supports “decreased labor protections, rolled-back worker safety, and weakened federal unions.”

“Against every law of society and nature, our children are taught in school to hate their own country.” President Donald Trump Racial and Social Justice The Trump Administration has dismantled the civil rights offices at the Departments of Education and Justice, rolled back guidance on racial disparities in school suspensions, and eliminated protections for transgender students. With an equally lengthy record of racially offensive language, Trump claims that “he is the least racist person there is anywhere in the world,” but describes efforts to ensure racial and social justice as a “merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values, and indoctrinate our children…” Class Size Tried to cut funds that would reduce class size. For FY 2021, Trump proposed collapsing 29 major education programs into a single reduced block grant, including $2.1 billion in Title II funding. These resources provide funds for high- need districts to hire teachers and reduce large class sizes. Educator Compensation Talk is cheap. Despite “admiring” teachers, Trump’s FY 2021 budget request proposed eliminating funding for programs like the Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants, Supporting Effective Educator Development Grant, and Teacher and School Leader Incentive programs, which provide funding to recruit, prepare, develop, and compensate educators. Public School Options School privatization is a priority. Trump has stated that his administration is “fighting for school choice, which really is the civil rights [issue] of all time in this country.” According to him, his “proposed budgets have made school choice a priority…by including $1 billion in funding to Furthering Options of Children to Unlock Success Grants for public school choice and $250 million to promote private school choice through the Education Innovation and Research Program.” The president believes that the COVID-19 pandemic is the opportune moment to urge Congress to support a $5 billion school tax credit that would transfer public funds to private schools. Early Education Kicks the can down the road on preschool programs. Trump doesn’t support universal access to preschool and marginally funds the Preschool Development Grants program, Head Start, and the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Instead, he has proposed “an independent working group [that] would make recommendations to Congress for more efficient use of the nearly $40 billion in childcare and early education funding that American taxpayers provide each year.”

Racial and Social Justice Proposes systemic investments to ensure racial equity. Biden acknowledges that the country is “seeing a national reckoning on racial justice and the tragic human costs of systemic racism.” In his plan to “Build Back Better by Advancing Racial Equity,” he outlines more than a dozen proposals to expand black, brown, and native families’ access to affordable housing, higher education, fair compensation, and clean energy.

Class Size Supports smaller class sizes. Biden recognizes that many educators across the country are experiencing stagnant wages, slashed benefits, growing class sizes, and fewer resources for their students. As a U.S. Senator, he introduced legislation to reduce class size and suggested that small classes should be “one pillar of our education system.”

Early Education Sees universal pre-K as an investment. Biden has committed to providing high-quality, universal pre-kindergarten for all three- and four-year olds. He believes that “this investment will ease the burden on our families, help close the achievement gap, promote the labor participation of parents who want to work, and lift our critical early childhood education workforce out of poverty.”

“Teaching is the single most consequential profession in

Public School Options Opposes vouchers and federal funding of charter schools. As a supporter of public schools, Biden does not agree with any federal funding going to for-profit charter schools, and he supports increasing overall accountability of charter schools. He has stated that “when we divert public funds to private schools, we undermine the entire public education system. We’ve got to prioritize investing in our public schools, so every kid in America gets a fair shot.”

terms of whether or not the United States succeeds in the world.” Presidential candidate Joe Biden

Educator Compensation Supports raises for educators. Biden has proposed tripling federal funding for Title I to help school districts offer educators competitive salaries. He believes that educators “are the most important profession.”

For more information, go to educationvotes.nea.org/presidential-2020/biden-vs-trump.

RE-ELECTING

4 CEA ADVISOR OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2020

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES WHO STAND UP FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION C EA has endorsed Connecticut’s five incumbent congressional FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LARSON I  am a product of Connecticut’s public schools, and as a former teacher myself, I know the value and dedication teachers “

“U.S. Congressman John Larson is the voice every educator, learner, and family needs, especially during these unforeseen circumstances. As a 17-year veteran teacher, building representative with the East Hartford Education Association, and member of CEA, I continue to witness Congressman Larson’s dedication to Connecticut’s schools in the way he has stood up against politicians who refuse to focus on the needs of all children. This pandemic has been extremely detrimental to our educational system and with U.S. Congressman John Larson in office, there is hope for a better future.” Monique Butler, East Hartford teacher

representatives— First Congressional District Representative John Larson, Second Congressional District Representative Joe Courtney, Third Congressional District Representative Rosa DeLauro, Fourth Congressional District Representative Jim Himes, and Fifth Congressional District Representative Jahana Hayes. Earning top scores on NEA’s Report Card, these lawmakers have consistently listened to teachers’ concerns and effectively advocated for students and teachers. “Connecticut’s congressional delegation committed to the future of our children and our profession,” says CEA President Jeff Leake. “They understand the issues facing educators and will continue to work hard on our behalf supporting important legislation to strengthen our public schools. We need to re-elect them on November 3.” In their own words Read firsthand accounts from your colleagues about what these congressional candidates have done to earn the trust of the education community and why they deserve your support and your vote on November 3. strongly supports education, and its members are deeply

bring to our community. We need to ensure they have every resource they need to help our children succeed, whether it is technology, supplies, or PPE during the public health crisis. I hope that with a new administration

we can work together to ensure education policy reflects the needs of our teachers and students.” Congressman John Larson

SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE JOE COURTNEY

“ T he challenges facing teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and other workers who keep our public schools running were serious enough without the new reality that the pandemic has imposed upon them. Absent a coherent response from the Trump Administration, alongside an already hostile Department of Education led by Betsy DeVos, public education needs strong and committed champions now more than ever. I am firm in my dedication to ensuring all Connecticut towns have strong , equitably funded public schools for every child.” Congressman Joe Courtney “

“Since being elected in 2006, Joe Courtney has been a tireless supporter of teachers and public education. Now more than ever, we need critical thinkers who make thoughtful decisions based on facts and experience. 2020 may be the most important election of our lifetime. Vote as if the livelihood and quality of public education depends on it, because it does. I hope you will join me in supporting Joe Courtney this election to ensure that public education continues to

have a strong voice in Washington.” April VanSambeck, Lebanon teacher

THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE ROSA DELAURO A s chair of the subcommittee that directs federal funding in public education, I believe we must be doing more than ever before to defend our public schools, teachers, staff, and students from COVID-19 and from the Trump-DeVos Department of Education. This is an administration that sees education not as a public good to be lauded but a private cash cow to be exploited. I remain committed to adequately and robustly funding our public school systems: to keep class sizes manageable, improve teacher training and development, provide for after-school programs, enable student loan forgiveness, and unlock the highest aspirations of this generation and the next. The future of our young people and their educators is not up for grabs, not up for debate, and not up for auction. I take that responsibility as seriously as any in my role as your elected official.” Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro “

“Rosa DeLauro is smart and tough, and she works tenaciously for teachers and public schools. I am proud to support Representative DeLauro: she’s a stalwart in supporting equity of access and funding for all students and districts. Rosa knows that unions fight the good fight, and she stands with us.” Michael Fiorello, Stratford teacher

RE-ELECTING

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2020 CEA ADVISOR 5

FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE JAHANA HAYES “ I am so proud and take seriously the responsibility of carrying educators’ voices into Congress and into my

FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE JIM HIMES

“ T eachers are the backbone of our communities. Now more than ever we are seeing the resilience of our educators in Connecticut, and I am proud of the work of our schools during this difficult time. Our teachers are on the frontline of COVID-19 and support from the Connecticut Education Association is crucial to protecting our classrooms. Thank you, CEA

Committee on Education and Labor. Now more than ever, it is critical that we have an educator with recent, real- world education experience in

the rooms where these conversations shaping

education policy are taking place. I am thankful for your support, and I will continue to fight for the resources necessary to provide quality public education for all.” Congresswoman Jahana Hayes

for advocating for public schools and supporting educators and students in Connecticut.” Congressman Jim Himes

“Living in Fairfield County in Connecticut, and having representation like Congressman Jim Himes is very assuring. I know that when serious issues arise concerning the students and teachers in his district, we can count on him. We can count on him to speak up about what is right and wrong and to let others know that his constituents will not be taken advantage of. Public education is important to Congressman Himes, and it shows in his dedication to the issues. This is why Congressman Jim Himes can count on my vote on November 3rd.” Tricia Conduah, Stamford teacher

“I will always support a candidate who supports teachers and kids. Education needs a strong voice that advocates for us. As National Teacher of the Year, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes understands teachers because she has experience in the educators’ arena. As a member of the Agriculture Committee,

Congresswoman Jahana Hayes is a proponent of food safety, the School Meals Program that has a great impact on children, and SNAP benefits to ensure that children and families have access to food. I support Congresswoman Jahana Hayes as the voice we need to represent us.” Lammia Agoora, Danbury teacher

HELP ELECT EDUCATION ALLIES How strong teachers’ voices are at the ballot box determines their strength at the bargaining table for their profession and their students. Many of the changes teachers want are tied to funding, and decisions about the amount of funding school systems receive rest with legislative bodies and the executive branch. Elected officials influence not only resources but also reforms, including vouchers, charters, and teacher evaluations. One of teachers’ best political tools is the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education, which helps run effective campaigns to elect education allies and remove those willing to sacrifice public schools to private interests. To achieve its goals, the NEA Fund relies on voluntary contributions from teachers—not dues dollars. Pooling together thousands of small contributions from teachers like you allows the NEA Fund to engage in direct voter contact and broad public awareness campaigns to ensure that public school teachers get

WATERBURY ART TEACHER WINS SECOND PLACE IN NATIONAL “GET OUT THE VOTE” POSTCARD CONTEST When the National Education

Association (NEA) launched a postcard contest on the theme “Get Out the Vote,” Crosby High School art teacher Sabrina Del Negro was inspired to capture the message. “When it comes to education,” the Waterbury educator says, “we have to keep advocating for better resources all around and for a strong public school system. I wanted to spread the word to remind people to share their voice and go out and vote. Voting is important at all

levels, especially when it comes to education, and especially this year.” Del Negro’s design took second place in the national competition. “We are so proud of all of our teachers, who—like Sabrina—are passionate advocates for a strong democracy and strong public schools,” says CEA President Jeff Leake. “I urge all our members to take her message to heart and vote—our students’ future depends on it.”

the pro-public education leaders they deserve. Learn more and contribute at NEAFund.org .

6 CEA ADVISOR OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2020

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VOTING

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2020 CEA ADVISOR 7

CEA HELPS YOU MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS IN THE VOTING BOOTH Report cards for legislators show who gets high marks for public education, who fails to make the grade

Every election season, CEA issues a legislator report card and honor roll that evaluates legislative candidates’ positions on issues that matter to teachers. The 2019-2020 CEA Report Card score takes into account incumbent legislators’ votes on CEA priority bills and legislation that is important to our members. In 2019 this included issues like funding for education, minority teacher recruitment, and union access and the right to organize. The score also takes into account a legislator’s advocacy, legislative action, and responsiveness. With election season in full swing, it’s important to know which incumbents voted with teachers, who went against us, and which new candidates are staunch supporters of public education. “We have heard from our members that they want the facts so that they can make their own decisions at the ballot box,” says CEA President Jeff Leake. In the 2019 legislative session, who decided to plug the state’s budget deficit with a payroll tax on teachers? Who voted to roll back that teacher tax? Who demanded greater protection for teachers and greater supports for students whose behavior endangers others? Who didn’t? Who upheld the standards for teacher certification that you worked so hard to achieve? Who is willing to fast-track certification for less- qualified candidates? Not only did CEA examine voting records, but the association also distributed questionnaires to every candidate running for office and invited candidates to participate in interviews about education issues. Many took CEA up on these offers; others ignored the association’s requests and questionnaires. To see how candidates responded to the CEA questionnaire, go to cea.org/ legislator-report-card . Just in time for Election Day, November 3, see who’s a true ally in the fight for quality public education

and whose campaign promises fall short. publicizing legislators’ voting records and priorities so that you can see where they stand on the issues that matter to you. CEA’s report card recognizes legislators who are committed to giving students more opportunities for success and are working hard to improve public education and the teaching profession in Connecticut. It evaluates legislators on • Their voting records and co-sponsorship of bills that either advance or stymie CEA education priorities How it works CEA is

• Their advocacy for students, teachers, and public schools in public hearings, on the chamber floor, in the press, and among their peers in the legislative environment • Their responsiveness to requests to meet with CEA members and staff • Their efforts to advance CEA’s priorities over the past two-year legislative cycle, including § Funding public education § Preserving collective bargaining § Enhancing the teaching profession § Protecting the pension system § Keeping schools safe § Upholding teacher certification standards § Supporting sound education policy Why it matters “This report card takes into consideration how lawmakers voted on key bills and how willing they were to engage with CEA and its members and listen to our concerns,” says Leake. “This system is transparent and holds candidates accountable, which matters at a time when the rights of

both public- and private-sector employees, including their right to bargain collectively, are under constant attack.” All 187 Connecticut General Assembly seats and all five seats in Connecticut’s congressional delegation are up for grabs, as is the office of the president. (See CEA’s endorsed presidential and congressional candidates on pages 2-5.) “Let’s take a look at the records of those who are running and elect those who will look out for teachers,” says Leake. Find out who’s running in your district and where they stand on issues of importance to you. CEA’s District Comparison ( cea.org/district- comparison ) lets you compare the candidates in your city or town. Newcomers With many newcomers seeking office, not everyone has had an opportunity to vote on key bills. So, how has CEA evaluated candidates without a legislative record? CEA Political Action Committee (CEA PAC) Chair Bob Brown, a

retired teacher and former president of the Southington Education Association, explains. “The CEA PAC has distributed candidate questionnaires and held virtual interviews all summer long to help us better understand candidates’ positions on issues that matter to educators. We also sought additional information about those with no voting records. Did anyone locally know anything about them? How supportive were they, and how willing have they been to work with teachers?” Additionally, says Brown, significant emphasis was placed on a candidate’s actions involving the rights of teachers to have a voice in the education of their students, the working and learning conditions at their schools, and the ability to bargain for fair wages and benefits. “We are sharing those results with our members to help in their voting decisions, because the people we elect to represent us should care about our students, our profession, and the strength of our public schools.”

HOW WILL YOU VOTE THIS YEAR? In person or absentee?

For the first time ever, all registered voters in Connecticut are eligible to vote by mail—via absentee ballot—because of COVID-19. Those who wish to vote in person may still do so. Election Day is November 3. Be sure to vote. The outcome of this year’s election will be as important as ever for students and teachers.

VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT 1. Applications for absentee ballots will be mailed to all registered voters and are also available at portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election- Services/Voter-Information/Absentee- Voting . Fill out the application. In Section II, any voter may check off the “COVID-19” option as a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. 2. Return your application in the enclosed addressed prepaid envelope.

3. Your absentee ballot will be mailed directly to you by your municipal clerk. 4. Drop your completed ballot in the Official Ballot Drop Box outside your town/city hall. If you are unable to use the Drop Box, mail your completed ballot using the enclosed, prepaid envelope. VOTE IN PERSON Polls will be open on Tuesday, November 3, from 6:00am to 8:00pm.

RECOGNIZING

8 CEA ADVISOR OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2020

Which 2020 Legislative Candidates Made CEA’s Honor Roll? Meet this year’s education champions

Honor Roll

Before you cast your vote, find out which candidates are top education champions. CEA’s Honor Roll recognizes legislative candidates recommended by CEA’s Political Action Committee (CEA PAC)—a group comprising teachers across the state—and approved by the Board of Directors. These include legislators who earned the highest scores when it came to voting with CEA on key education issues in 2019 (the last full legislative session), ranging from classroom safety to minority

teacher recruitment. Many advocated strongly for education-critical bills and showed leadership in bringing those bills up for a vote. Some legislative candidates running have not held office and, therefore, do not have voting records that the CEA PAC can evaluate. However, even non-incumbents can earn a spot on CEA’s Honor Roll. All candidates were given questionnaires asking for their views on issues important to teachers. The CEA PAC was able to consider their responses to the questionnaires as

well as their engagement with CEA staff, leaders, and members, their participation in

personal virtual interviews held throughout the summer, and any elected positions previously held. Meet CEA’s 2020 Honor Roll candidates— true education champions. Find your state House and Senate districts at cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/ cgafindleg.asp .

Don’t see your legislators here? Find out how they scored on CEA’s report card by visiting cea.org/legislator-report-card .

STATE SENATE HONOR ROLL

DIST. 19 CATHERINE OSTEN (D) INCUMBENT Columbia, Franklin, Hebron, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Marlborough, Montville, Norwich, and Sprague DIST. 22 MARILYN MOORE (D) INCUMBENT Bridgeport, Monroe, and Trumbull

DIST. 1 JOHN FONFARA (D) INCUMBENT Hartford and Wethersfield

DIST. 9 MATTHEW LESSER (D) INCUMBENT Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield

DIST. 2 DOUGLAS McCRORY (D) INCUMBENT Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor

DIST. 10 GARY WINFIELD (D) INCUMBENT New Haven and West Haven

DIST. 3 SAUD ANWAR (D) INCUMBENT East Hartford, Ellington, East Windsor, and South Windsor

DIST. 11 MARTIN LOONEY (D) INCUMBENT New Haven, Hamden, and North Haven

DIST. 24 JULIE KUSHNER (D) INCUMBENT Bethel, Danbury, New Fairfield, and Sherman

DIST. 13 MARY DAUGHERTY ABRAMS (D) INCUMBENT Cheshire, Meriden, Middletown, and Middlefield DIST. 16 JACK PERRY (D) CANDIDATE Prospect, Southington, Waterbury, and Wolcott DIST. 17 JORGE CABRERA (D) CANDIDATE Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck, and Woodbridge DIST. 18 ROBERT STATCHEN (D) CANDIDATE Griswold, Groton, North Stonington, Plainfield, Preston, Sterling, Stonington, and Voluntown

DIST. 25 BOB DUFF (D) INCUMBENT Norwalk and Darien

DIST. 5 DEREK SLAP (D) INCUMBENT West Hartford, Farmington, Burlington, and Bloomfield

DIST. 26 WILL HASKELL (D) INCUMBENT Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, and Wilton DIST. 28 MICHELLE LAPINE MCCABE (D) CANDIDATE Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, and portions of Weston, and Westport DIST. 35 LISA THOMAS (D) CANDIDATE Ashford, Chaplin, Coventry, Eastford, Ellington, Hampton, Pomfret, Stafford, Tolland, Union, Vernon, Willington, and Woodstock

DIST. 6 REP. RICK LOPES (D) CANDIDATE Berlin, Farmington, and New Britain

DIST. 7 FREDERICK MOFFA (D) CANDIDATE Enfield, Suffield, Windsor Locks, East Granby, Somers, and parts of Granby and Windsor DIST. 8 KEVIN WITKOS (R) INCUMBENT Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Granby, Hartland, Harwinton, New Hartford, Norfolk, Simsbury, and Torrington

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HONOR ROLL

DIST. 1 MATTHEW RITTER (D) INCUMBENT Hartford

DIST. 23 DAVID RUBINO (D) CANDIDATE Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook

DIST. 12 GEOFF LUXENBERG (D) INCUMBENT Manchester

DIST. 2 RAGHIB ALLIE-BRENNAN (D) INCUMBENT Bethel, Danbury, Newtown, Redding

DIST. 15 BOBBY GIBSON (D) INCUMBENT Bloomfield and Windsor

DIST. 25 ROBERT SANCHEZ (D) INCUMBENT New Britain

DIST. 6 EDWIN VARGAS (D) INCUMBENT Hartford

DIST. 17 ELENI KAVROS DEGRAW (D) CANDIDATE Avon and Canton

DIST. 26 PETER TERCYAK (D) INCUMBENT New Britain

DIST. 7 JOSHUA HALL (D) INCUMBENT Hartford

DIST. 27 GARY TURCO (D) INCUMBENT Newington

DIST. 18 JILLIAN GILCHREST (D) INCUMBENT West Hartford

DIST. 9 JASON ROJAS (D) INCUMBENT East Hartford and Manchester

DIST. 30 JOANN ANGELICO-STETSON (D) CANDIDATE Berlin and Southington

DIST. 20 KATE FARRAR (D) CANDIDATE West Hartford

DIST. 11 JEFF CURREY (D) INCUMBENT East Hartford, Manchester, and South Windsor

DIST. 33 BRANDON CHAFEE (D) CANDIDATE Middletown

DIST. 21 MIKE DEMICCO (D) INCUMBENT Farmington

RECOGNIZING

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2020 CEA ADVISOR 9

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HONOR ROLL, continued

DIST. 34 JUDD MELÓN (D) CANDIDATE East Haddam, East Hampton, and Colchester

DIST. 77 ANDREW RASMUSSEN-TULLER (D) CANDIDATE Bristol DIST. 80 JOHN “CORKY” MAZUREK (D) CANDIDATE Southington and Wolcott

DIST. 114 MARY WELANDER (D) CANDIDATE Woodbridge, Orange, and Derby

DIST. 38 KATHLEEN MCCARTY (R) INCUMBENT Waterford and Montville

DIST. 115 DORINDA BORER (D) INCUMBENT West Haven

DIST. 38 BAIRD WELCH-COLLINS (D) CANDIDATE Waterford and Montville

DIST. 116 MICHAEL DIMASSA (D) INCUMBENT New Haven and West Haven

DIST. 84 HILDA SANTIAGO (D) INCUMBENT Meriden

DIST. 39 ANTHONY NOLAN (D) INCUMBENT New London

DIST. 85 MARY MUSHINSKY (D) INCUMBENT Wallingford

DIST. 118 FRANK SMITH (D) CANDIDATE Milford

DIST. 86 VINCENT CANDELORA (R) INCUMBENT Durham, Guilford, North Branford, and Wallingford DIST. 87 KATHY GRANT (D) CANDIDATE North Haven

DIST. 119 BRYAN ANDERSON (D) CANDIDATE Milford and Orange

DIST. 41 JOE DE LA CRUZ (D) INCUMBENT Groton and New London

DIST. 44 CHRISTINE ROSATI RANDALL (D) CANDIDATE Killingly and Plainfield DIST. 47 KATE DONNELLY (D) CANDIDATE Canterbury, Chaplin, Franklin, Hampton, Lebanon, Lisbon, Norwich, Scotland, and Sprague

DIST. 120 JIM FEEHAN (R) CANDIDATE Stratford

DIST. 120 PHILIP YOUNG (D) INCUMBENT Stratford

DIST. 88 JOSH ELLIOTT (D) INCUMBENT Hamden

DIST. 123 SUJATA GADKAR-WILCOX (D) CANDIDATE Trumbull

DIST. 90 JIM JINKS (D) CANDIDATE Cheshire and Wallingford

DIST. 51 LARRY GROH (D) CANDIDATE Killingly, Putnam, and Thompson

DIST. 91 MICHAEL D’AGOSTINO (D) INCUMBENT Hamden

DIST. 53 PAT WILSON PHEANIOUS (D) INCUMBENT Ashford, Tolland, and Willington

DIST. 134 CARLA VOLPE (D) CANDIDATE Fairfield and Trumbull

DIST. 54 GREGORY HADDAD (D) INCUMBENT Mansfield

DIST. 135 ANNE HUGHES (D) INCUMBENT Easton, Redding, Weston

DIST. 93 TONI WALKER (D) INCUMBENT New Haven

DIST. 136 JONATHAN STEINBERG (D) INCUMBENT Westport

DIST. 56 MICHAEL WINKLER (D) INCUMBENT Vernon

DIST. 94 ROBYN PORTER (D) INCUMBENT Hamden and New Haven

DIST. 98 SEAN SCANLON (D) INCUMBENT Branford and Guilford

DIST. 138 KENNETH GUCKER (D) INCUMBENT Danbury, New Fairfield, and Ridgefield

DIST. 59 JERRY CALNEN (D) CANDIDATE Enfield and East Windsor

DIST. 65 MICHELLE COOK (D) INCUMBENT Torrington

DIST. 99 DAVE YACCARINO (D) CANDIDATE East Haven

DIST. 139 KEVIN RYAN (D) INCUMBENT Bozrah, Montville, and Norwich

DIST. 101 NOREEN KOKORUDA (R) INCUMBENT Durham and Madison

DIST. 142 LUCY DATHAN (D) INCUMBENT Norwalk and New Canaan

DIST. 70 STEPHEN SAMELA (D) CANDIDATE Naugatuck

DIST. 146 DAVID MICHEL (D) INCUMBENT Stamford

DIST. 73 RONALD NAPOLI (D) INCUMBENT Waterbury

DIST. 103 LIZ LINEHAN (D) INCUMBENT Cheshire, Southington, and Wallingford

DIST. 74 MICHAEL DIGIOVANCARLO (D) CANDIDATE Waterbury

DIST. 109 DAVID ARCONTI (D) INCUMBENT Danbury

DIST. 75 GERALDO REYES (D) INCUMBENT Waterbury

DIST. 110 BOB GODFREY (D) INCUMBENT Danbury