NYSUT members know like nobody else knows: Educators get stuff done!
So when making endorsements for the 2018 general elections, it’s no
coincidence that many of the candidates the union backed — and elected — are actually members of Our Union.
Letitia James, the attorney general elect, is an adjunct lecturer at Empire State College and a member of United University Professions, which represents academic and professional faculty on state-
operated SUNY campuses.
Assemblymember Monica Wallace won a second term representing the 143rd Assembly District. She is an adjunct instructor at the University of Buffalo School of Law and a UUP member. Patrick Burke who pulled an upset win to take the 142nd state Assembly District seat, was a UUP member until last January when he left his position as an adjunct lecturer of political science at SUNY Buffalo to run for the Assembly.
“We couldn’t be happier for Team UUP — three dedicated, hard-working unionists who recognize the relevance of organized labor and public higher education,” said UUP President Fred Kowal.
Also successful in November was Monica Martinez, a former teacher and member of the Brentwood Teachers Association on Long Island, who was elected to the state Senate in District 3.
“NYSUT’s pipeline project is building a record of winners,” said President Andy Pallotta, “winners who share our values."
The project provides training and resources for NYSUT members who want to run for local or state offices. Contact your local president if you are interested.
Check out these other winners from November.
- Michelle Roman, a member of the Holley Central Schools TA and a graduate of NYSUT’s Member Organizing Institute, was elected mayor of Lockport.
- Nicole Terminelli, Massena Federation of Teachers, was elected to the St. Lawrence County Legislature.
- Francesca Hagadus, a retiree from the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers, earned a seat on the Mount Pleasant Town Board.
- Brian Lavine, a member of NYSUT Retiree Council 12, was elected to the Cobleskill Town Council.