CT’s Largest Teacher Union Backs Lamont

by Donald Eng

HARTFORD, CT — Citing his “genuine commitment to listening to educators” and his support for public schools, the Connecticut Education Association endorsed incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont for a third term Wednesday. With about 43,000 members, the CEA is the largest teacher union in the state.

“When educators have a seat at the table, students win,” said CEA President Kate Dias.

She added Lamont’s partnership with the education community had “strengthened our schools and our profession, and we are proud to endorse him for a third term as the leader our state needs.”

Specifically, the group cited Lamont’s creation of a commission to modernize how schools are funded, support for banning cell phones in schools and backing of privacy protection for educators, among other topics.

“Leadership is measured by the choices made when it matters most. Governor Lamont has consistently demonstrated through his actions that he values public education, supports educators, and understands that strong public schools are the foundation of a strong Connecticut,” said Dias. 

Lamont also has spoken against tax credits and school voucher proposals that divert tax dollars to private schools, Dias said.

Lamont, a former volunteer teacher at Bridgeport’s Harding High School, said the experience had shaped his views.

“It was there I made a promise that every child in Connecticut, regardless of their zip code, deserves the opportunity to get a great education,” he said. “Teachers are the ones who make that promise real every single day and I’ve been proud to support the amazing work they do by fully funding our schools, fighting for fair pay, and giving educators the support they need to do their best work. 

The group’s endorsement of Lamont comes the day after the New Haven Federation of Teachers endorsed state Rep. Josh Elliott of Hamden, Lamont’s opponent in the Aug. 11 Democratic primary. That group, with about 1,700 members, was the second educator union to back Elliott. In June, the faculty and staff of the state’s 12 community colleges also backed Elliott.

Elliott, reached via text, said there was a big difference between a labor union’s board endorsing a candidate and the way the membership votes.

“Teachers across the state know that Ned manages status quo, and that is precisely what is driving people out of the profession, leading to larger class sizes and increased property taxes,” he said. “I have full confidence the teachers with CEA will vote in their best interest on Aug. 11.”

In addition to the CEA, Lamont has received the endorsement of numerous labor groups, including the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association, the Amalgamated Transit Union of Connecticut, the Connecticut Carpenters Union, and the Association of Commuter Rail Employees.