Topic: Elections
Four members tell their stories of election success
Our voices must be heard! Members elected to district governing boards
Jeanie Wallace had considered running for office before. As a union rep for the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers and the chair of the local Democratic Party Central Committee, she knew how hard it could be to find candidates for the school board. But she thought she was too busy, and planned to do it when she retired.
Retirees stay true to the cause – keeping political, union skills sharp
AFT activists don’t stop being active when they retire. United Teachers Los Angeles retiree Jimmie Woods-Gray, for example, remains a whirlwind in the fight to stop the privatization of public education. UC-AFT Riverside’s Stephanie Kay, meanwhile, continues the daily fight for lecturers’ rights on University of California campuses.
Tony Thurmond wins State Superintendent race!
Updated November 19, 2018
Following a hard fought campaign, Assemblymember Tony Thurmond has won the election to be California’s next Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Across the state, teachers and school workers celebrated Thurmond’s election as a resounding call by voters to protect public education. Fighting the headwinds of unprecedented spending by a handful of billionaires and mega-donors in support of Marshall Tuck, Thurmond ran a campaign based on investing in all public schools and supporting all students.
A Blue Wave — only if we make it happen
By Joshua Pechthalt, CFT President
Years back, my family took a trip to Hawaii. While there, Japan suffered a serious earthquake and we were told to prepare for a tsunami that never materialized. Like the one on my trip, the “blue wave” that could give Democrats a majority in the House and possibly the Senate, might be just as illusory as our Hawaiian experience. Unless we help make it happen.
Choose True Blue on November 6
Vote Thurmond for state superintendent
It’s not every election cycle that California finds itself with critical, competitive races, but 2018 is not just any election year. California is a battleground state to take back the House of Representatives. Jerry Brown is termed out, so voters will elect a new governor for the first time in eight years. And the race for state superintendent pits charter schools against public schools.
Tony Thurmond: Delegates support CFT-endorsed candidate for state superintendent
A couple of days after his speech at the CFT Convention in Sacramento last year, Assemblymember Tony Thurmond (D- Richmond) announced his candidacy for state superintendent of public instruction. He regrets not announcing at the Convention, Thurmond told delegates, who waved blue signs in his support.
Q&A: Get to know Tony Thurmond
Meet the CFT-endorsed candidate for state superintendent of public instruction
In a race important to all educators, the CFT has endorsed Assemblymember Tony Thurmond for state Superintendent of Public Instruction. CFT President Josh Pechthalt said Thurmond, a former social worker, has demonstrated “time and again he is a champion of public education. His policy positions solidly align him with the needs of students, parents and educators.”
California Teacher asked Thurmond about his positions on education issues ranging from early childhood to higher education.
CFT endorses Gavin Newsom for governor
Members heavily favor lieutenant governor in straw poll, opinion poll
2018 is shaping up to be a critical election for our nation and our state. With Gov. Jerry Brown being termed out, one of the most important elections for CFT members will be the race for governor.
After soliciting member feedback for almost two months, the CFT Executive Council on December 2 endorsed Gavin Newsom for the state’s top office.
Local unions confront post-election environment
Four leaders talk about union priorities in their districts
Since Donald Trump was elected president, it has become clear: It’s a new day for educators, their unions, students and communities. California Teacher asked the presidents of four local unions from different regions of the state to voice their concerns.
We can’t afford to go back – Proposition 55 sails to victory
School and college funding secured
In a crowded field of 17 propositions on the statewide ballot November 8, voters clearly saw the value of publicly funded education and passed CFT’s top priority, Proposition 55, with an impressive 24-point margin.
Find the support you need at school
Classroom resources for post General Election 2016
AFT’s Share My Lesson
Lots of lesson plans by grade level on the election,
civics, and anti-bullying. For example, here
is a direct link to a high school social studies lesson
plan on “The Dangers of the New Nationalism.”
Being there for our students in a time of fear and hate
After the most divisive election in living memory, healing begins with resistance
For Kelly Mayhew, an English teacher at San Diego City College, the day after Donald Trump won the Electoral College vote for president of the United States, was probably her worst as a teacher.
Local unions elect candidates, pass ballot measures
Educator efforts pay off in funding gains, more favorable boards
PART 3: LOCAL SUCCESSES
Local elections directly impact schools and colleges. The grassroots work of CFT members in their communities not only secured funding and elected strong, labor-friendly local candidates, but will also help shape the political landscape in California.
The woman who helped California women win the vote
Immigrant, suffragist, reproductive rights pioneer never gave up
KNOW OUR HISTORY
Hillary Clinton’s historic run for U.S. President and popular vote victory didn’t just come out of nowhere. She and all the other women who are so much a part of our politics stand on the shoulders of the bold, creative organizers who came before them — women who never let a few losses stop them. Women with names we should know but probably don’t. One of these is Frances Nacke Noel.
Retirees work presidential election in swing states
Pajaro Valley’s Julie Armstrong named top volunteer in Florida
Because Hillary Clinton needed to win in Florida, I volunteered, along with CFT and AFT retirees from other states, in the Sunshine State.
We worked with diverse groups of Floridians in the AFT and other labor unions through the Working America Coalition, a political action committee of the AFL-CIO. Working America fights for working families, union and non-union, in campaigns to elect progressive candidates and pass legislation to improve the lives of working families.
California Legislature remains Democratic bastion
Democrats win supermajorities, endorsed candidates fare well
PART 2: STATEWIDE CANDIDATES
With the future of national politics uncertain, the role of the California Legislature in shaping public education policy and labor rights is more critical than ever. The work it undertakes in coming years will have a large and direct impact on members, their students, and their communities.
Top priorities Propositions 55 and 58 sail to victory
School and college funding secured, bilingual instruction returned
PART 1: STATEWIDE PROPOSITIONS
In a crowded field of 17 propositions on the statewide ballot, voters clearly saw the value of publicly funded education and passed CFT’s top priority, Proposition 55, with an impressive 24-point margin.
The Trump effect on American politics
New book puts dominant parties on the analyst’s couch
After the election, California Teacher interviewed Robert Samuels, president of the University Council-AFT, and author of the new book, Psychoanalyzing the Left and Right After Donald Trump.
California Teacher: What does your approach try to explain that other approaches cannot?
Responding to election of Donald Trump: Reassess, Mobilize, Defend
By Joshua Pechthalt, CFT President
I have been hearing from CFT members who supported Donald Trump and are not happy that the CFT is sticking its nose into politics.
We would be looking at a much different scenario in our schools and colleges, our communities and unions, and in Sacramento, if the CFT had not led the way on the Millionaires Tax, which became Proposition 30 and now Proposition 55, and before that, led the way on Proposition 25, the Majority Budget Act.