Politics & Government

Hassan Scores NEA-NH Endorsement [VIDEO]

State's largest union backs Democrat.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate picked up the endorsement of the New Hampshire branch of the , the state’s largest union.

Outside the organization’s headquarters on South Spring Street in Concord, President Scott McGilvray said the union was recommending a vote for Hassan because of her previous commitment to public education.

“Maggie shares our belief that good public schools are the foundation for our strong communities and a vibrant New Hampshire economy,” he said.

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McGilvray said he couldn’t imagine what the state of public education would be like if there were a Republican in the corner office during the last two years. He criticized efforts by the Republican-controlled Legislature to cut education at a time when workers need to be re-trained and other countries were spending more money on public education.

“It’s time we re-commit to our kids, our workers, and our future, by making sure we have the best educated students in the world,” McGilvray said. “For the sake of our students and their parents, we need to be sure that the governor’s office remains in the hand of a true champion of public education and working-class families.”

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Exeter resident Kevin Fleming, a teacher of 30 years who currently teaches at Winnacunnet Regional High School in Hampton, praised Hassan as a great state senator who would work in the corner office to move the state forward. He said that while in the Senate, she not only served Seacoast towns well, but “all the citizens of New Hampshire.” Fleming said by voting for Hassan, it was another opportunity to elect another "education governor," like .

“I enthusiastically recommend to my colleagues in New Hampshire public schools … please vote for Maggie Hassan for governor,” he said.

Hassan thanked the union for the endorsement and after noting that her husband was a former teacher and now a principal, thanked the members for all their hard work. She unveiled a new “Innovate NH Jobs” plan and attacked the Legislature for defunding public education. She also chastised the state Republican Party for attacking her education advertising as “a distraction.”

“The message they send our children is smoke more, study less,” she quipped. “Education is not a side issue; it is not a distraction. The education we give our children is the issue.”

During a short question and answer period, McGilvray said that the union only spoke to Hassan and Democrat about the endorsement, meeting with both extensively during the last two weeks. He said other candidates, like Republicans , , and , as well as Democrat , did not respond to endorsement invitations.

“Maggie Hassan is our candidate and we stand by her,” he said.  


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