dec-jan

MOBILIZING

4 CEA ADVISOR DECEMBER 2018–JANUARY 2019

EDUCATORS, PRO-EDUCATION CANDIDATES SWEEP CONNECTICUT’S MIDTERMS Public education was a clear

margin, teacher turnout was a significant factor in putting pro- education candidates over the finish line. “Key races where a victory was decided by the narrowest of margins also turned out to be races where teachers were most engaged in talking to their colleagues about the issues at stake—from teacher pensions to school funding,” he says. “Teachers helped provide the decisive votes. They came out in force, and thanks to CEA’s report card, they came armed with information about who supports them.” “After many months of engaging their colleagues, knocking on doors, and turning out to vote, teachers helped democracy work for public education,” adds Leake. “CEA’s mission was to put education on the ballot and put strong advocates in office. Across the state, teachers succeeded. We look forward to working with our new governor and legislators on ensuring that Connecticut’s public education system is a top priority and that all students and schools have the support and resources they deserve.” While these victories don’t mean that teachers won’t still have challenges at the State Capitol or in Washington, D.C., they do mean that teachers will have more allies working for them, and that their challenges won’t include fighting a life-or-death battle to preserve their fundamental rights and their union.

winner at the polls this November, and grassroots engagement by CEA members made it happen. “Thanks in large part to teachers determined to make their voices heard and their votes matter, pro- education candidates chalked up significant victories in the midterm elections this year,” says CEA President Jeff Leake. One of the biggest wins went to political newcomer Jahana Hayes, a former Waterbury, Connecticut, and National Teacher of the Year and an outspoken advocate for public school teachers. (See story on next page.) Major wins were scored in the state Senate and House as well as in a close gubernatorial race, where education advocate Ned Lamont defeated a challenger whose agenda favored privatization of schools, caps on teacher salaries, anti-union initiatives, and an unrealistic economic plan that threatened to decimate school budgets. Information is power In the run-up to the elections, CEA developed its first-ever legislative report card—a comprehensive system of evaluating candidates based on their voting records, interviews, willingness to engage with CEA members, responses to questionnaires on education issues, and recommendations by teachers in their districts. Top pro-education candidates were named to CEA’s honor roll, which was published online and in the CEA Advisor Special Election Issue earlier this fall.

Former Vice President Joe Biden stumps for pro-education candidates Ned Lamont, Jahana Hayes, and Chris Murphy at a rally in Hartford this fall.

“From the time it was launched in September, CEA’s report card and honor roll were viewed nearly 75,000 times, in wave after wave—a testament to how engaged our members are and how deeply this election mattered to them,” says CEA Executive Director Donald Williams. “Indeed, CEA members went to the polls in unprecedented numbers, knowing which candidates pledged to protect public education, the teaching profession, and educators’ ability to retire with dignity—and whose plans would unravel teachers’ and students’ rights.”

Every CEA honor roll candidate for a top state officer position prevailed in the midterm elections, as did all pro-education candidates running for Congress. Overall, 80% of candidates on CEA’s honor roll in the 2018 election were declared winners, and 100% of CEA’s identified pro-education candidates running for constitutional offices, including Ned Lamont for governor, were elected. Teachers cast decisive votes “Teachers had a huge impact on this election,” Williams emphasizes, explaining that in some races where candidates won by a very narrow

GETTING OUT THE VOTE Teachers reach out to colleagues, candidates, community

Torrington teachers Tom Ethier and Michael McCotter introduce themselves to Jahana Hayes at a legislator meet-and-greet hosted by the Torrington Education Association and CEA.

Southington Education Association President Dan Hart and Greenwich Education Association President Carol Sutton participate in a phone bank encouraging teachers to vote.

CEA members join forces with AFT-Connecticut members for a door-knocking campaign in Danbury to get pro-education candidates, including Raghib Allie-Brennan and Julie Kushner, elected to the state House and Senate.

Teachers Marion Richard (Fairfield), Jerome Manning (Portland), Miles Lubben (Glastonbury), and Jesecia Miller (CREC) visit CEA members

Senator Steve Cassano talks with teachers in his district, including Manchester Education Association President Kate Dias and Manchester teachers Martha DiGiovanni, and Corinne Coleman.

in Cheshire to get the word out about congressional candidate Jahana Hayes.