AFT a big presence at the DNC

The energy at the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19-22 was off the charts, registering a joyful resurgence of optimism about the presidential election and the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz candidacy. And the AFT was in the thick of it: There were about 120 AFT members who were convention delegates. Here are some of their reflections on the four days of speeches, panel discussions and strategy sessions that have set up what remains of the election season.

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Building CTE at the DNC

As the nation watched the Democratic National Convention, it may have looked like one enormous pep rally, with inspiring speeches to pump up enthusiasm, silly hats bobbing in the crowd and shirtfronts encrusted with political buttons. But outside the phalanx of TV cameras, delegates and leaders—including many from the AFT—were shaping policy, including on education. Such was the case Aug. 21 when a panel of politicians, advocates and labor leaders sat down to discuss the most important aspects of career and technical education, and how we can continue to encourage its growth.

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AFT welcomes future second lady Gwen Walz to GOTV town hall

The AFT kicked off its first get-out-the-vote town hall with two special guests: Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz (wife of vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz) and longtime AFT ally Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

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Photo of AFT President Randi Weingarten and VP candidate Tim Walz

AFT’s Weingarten on Kamala Harris’ Selection of Tim Walz as Her Running Mate

AFT President Randi Weingarten released the following statement after Vice President Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate:

“Gov. Walz has been an unabashed champion for public education, for educators and workers throughout his life in public service. He shares our commitment to solving problems and forging a future in where every American can get ahead, not just get by.

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Photo of Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher Brittany Shoup introducing Vice-President Kamala Harris at AFT Convention 2024

Introducing Kamala Harris — literally

I’ve only had three “pinch me, I don’t believe this is real” moments in my life. First, when I was hired as a special education teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools — my dream job since I was a third grader in PPS. Second, when my husband proposed to me on Christmas morning. And the most recent, when I found out I was going to introduce Vice President Kamala Harris at the AFT convention July 25.

Kamala Harris throws down the gauntlet to extremists in rousing speech to the AFT

Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris chose the AFT as the first union to address since announcing her candidacy, calling the work our members do, “The most noble of work.” And the feeling is mutual. The AFT was the first union to endorse Harris, and delegates and their families flocked the convention hall in Houston to hear Harris fearlessly challenge Trump and extremists, vowing to fight for our fundamental freedoms and a future of opportunity for all. As one delegate said, “It’s a whole new energy.”

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Endorsement of Kamala Harris for President

AFT Delegates Vote to Endorse Kamala Harris for President

Today, during a special session of the 88th biennial AFT convention, delegates voted overwhelmingly to endorse Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic nominee for president of the United States. The endorsement comes after the governing 47-member executive council of the AFT met last night and voted unanimously on a resolution to endorse Harris, pending ratification by convention delegates.

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Photo of Randi Weingarten and Kamala Harris. Banner reads: AFTvotes. We care. We fight. We show up. We vote.

AFT Executive Council Unanimously Endorses Kamala Harris for President

The governing 47-member executive council of the AFT met tonight and voted unanimously on a resolution to endorse Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president, subject to ratification by the delegates to the 2024 AFT convention, which begins tomorrow.

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AFT’s Weingarten on President Biden’s Departure from the Presidential Race

AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after President Biden stepped aside from the race for president.

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President Joe Biden addresses the care workers’ coalition: “You’re all somebody’s hero. We need you.”

Biden, AFT join rally for early childhood educators and all care workers

President Joe Biden joined AFT President Randi Weingarten and other leaders from labor and the care community on April 9 to celebrate our nation’s caregivers. Along with a host of workers and activists, Biden and Weingarten celebrated the progress made for care workers, while also calling for legislative action. The event at Union Station in Washington, D.C., coincided with two milestones: the second annual White House proclamation of April as Care Workers Recognition Month and the first anniversary of Biden’s executive order to strengthen care work.

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2024 Endorsements

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