The Vermont chapter of the American Federation of Teachers has published a list of candidate endorsements, covering statewide offices as well as state House and Senate seats.
Delegates finalized their slate of preferred politicians at a biennial convention Saturday, where health care played a prominent role with unanimous adoption of a resolution supporting universal health care.
Progressive Dean Corren, who’s campaigning with both Progressive and Democratic party endorsements to unseat Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, is the only challenger to win AFT endorsement for statewide office. Corren also spoke to the membership, along with current House and Senate leadership.
AFT otherwise endorsed all the incumbent statewide office holders: Gov. Peter Shumlin, Attorney General Bill Sorrell, Treasurer Beth Pearce, Secretary of State Jim Condos and Auditor of Accounts Doug Hoffer.
In a kick-off speech, union President Ben Johnson cheered the group’s accomplishments from the past biennium, according to a news release.
“Look at what we’ve done together over the past two years,” Johnson said. “We’ve won the right to organize child care workers, we’ve organized nurses at Porter Medical Center, and we’ve worked to get legislation passed to renew Vermont’s commitment to public higher education. Over the next two years we’re going to work hard to bring universal health care to Vermonters.”
Union leadership for the next two years also was elected: Johnson, president; Linda Olson, vice-president of higher education; Mari Cordes, vice-president of health care; Karen Wood, secretary; and Julie Theoret, treasurer.
The American Federation of Teachers in Vermont represents professionals in health care and higher education.
