The American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania endorsed Democratic congressional candidate Ashley Ehasz on Thursday at an afternoon press conference, which was also live-streamed on Facebook.
The American Federation of Teachers represents education professionals and is one of the largest and most influential labor unions in the United States, advocating for education policies, workers’ rights, and social justice issues.
“We represent 36,000 teachers, paraprofessional support personnel, and private sector employees across the entire Commonwealth,” said Arthur Steinberg, President of the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania. “Our executive council enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed Ashley for Congress.”
Neshaminy Federation of Teachers President Tara Huber referred to Ehasz as a “breath of fresh air” and “a beacon of hope in these challenging Pennsylvania First Congressional District needs.
“Her commitment to increasing teacher pay, ensuring equitable funding for our schools, and expanding access to higher education is unwavering,” Huber said. “The vitality of our society hinges on the quality of our public education system. Unfortunately, Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has failed to recognize the invaluable contributions of our educators.”
The NFT president then went on to call out Fitzpatrick’s support of Moms for Liberty-backed school board candidates pushing a divisive, exclusionary and anti-public education and anti-teacher agenda. “Instead, he has allowed our schools to come under siege in Bucks County from extremist forces.”
AFT-PA’s Steinberg also noted Fitzpatrick’s support for extremist school board candidates.
READ: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick Votes for Moms for Liberty-Backed Parents’ Rights Bill
“Ashley has stood with the School Board candidates in Bucks County, many who just last November won in the face of those who wanted [to pass] book bans and ‘don’t say gay’ laws,” said Steinberg. “Ashley helped raise money for and campaigned with school board members who support the freedom to teach honest history. On the other hand, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick endorsed those MAGA extremists [for School Board] who went on to lose spectacularly. Worse yet, Brian Fitzpatrick is just as extreme as they are on reproductive rights—he’s voted for a national abortion ban—a freedom that is important to the vast majority of our members.”
When it comes to public education, protecting democracy, and reproductive rights, Steinberg said Ehasz represents the best choice for congressional representation in Pennsylvania’s First District.
“I’m honored to be endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, an organization that fights for fair, high-quality education and public services,” Ehasz said. “Advancing education for every student is one of the cornerstones of my campaign because real opportunity begins in the classroom. I know the incredible impact that teachers make in the lives of their students, because of how they impacted my life.”
A West Point graduate, Iraq war veteran, and former Apache helicopter pilot, Ehasz is running for Congress against Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District. After nearly 13 years of military service as a pilot and a company Commander, she left the Army to get her Master’s degree at the University of Oxford.
Ehasz has also secured endorsements from EMILY’s List, NewDems Action Fund, and VoteVets.
