WMUR
By John DiStaso
June 25, 2020

NEA, AFT BACK SHAHEEN. In major endorsements in her run for reelection, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen will receive the backing of two major teachers’ unions.

NEA-New Hampshire will “recommend” Shaheen for a third term, while AFT-New Hampshire will give her its endorsement. The announcement is expected Thursday.

NEA-NH represents 17,000 educators in most of the state’s communities and has locals representing nearly all school districts. AFT-NH represents 3,600 educators in the state.

Both unions said they have endorsed Shaheen in all of her statewide elections dating back to her first run for governor in 1996.

According to the Shaheen campaign, “A recommendation is the fullest and most complete level of support NEA-NH can give a candidate and means that every effort messaging, organizing and mobilizing effort will be employed to assist Senator Shaheen in her re-election.”

“Throughout her career, Jeanne Shaheen has consistently stood up for students, educators and their families,” said NEA-NH President Megan Tuttle. “As our governor and senator, she fought to protect funding in our schools, worked tirelessly to make college more affordable and understands that our state and nation are better off when all students have access to a quality education. We are proud to recommend her again.”

“Senator Shaheen is a stalwart advocate for students, educators and working people across New Hampshire, standing strong on issues like providing COVID-19 assistance to those unable to work during the pandemic, expanding access to job training and making sure our front-line workers have the protections they need during the pandemic,” said AFT-NH President Doug Ley, the New Hampshire House Majority Leader. “In the Senate, she has fought to protect public education funding and as governor, she expanded kindergarten to tens of thousands of children.”

Shaheen said she was honored and grateful to earn the support of the unions.

“I have always worked to support our students and teachers and that’s especially true now during coronavirus, as our teachers face immense challenges in their efforts to support children and students across New Hampshire,” she said.