ALBANY, N.Y. April 26, 2018 — New York State United Teachers today endorsed Advanced Placement biology teacher and local union leader John Mannion for state Senate, saying the 50th Senate District around Syracuse deserves “a dedicated, tireless leader who is knowledgeable and passionate about public education.”
NYSUT President Andy Pallotta said Mannion, president of the West Genesee Teachers Association and a member of the Onondaga County Teachers Association, would bring a classroom teachers’ perspective to the Senate.
“As the Senate debates standardized testing, state funding to our public schools and colleges and countless other important education issues, we believe that the voice and experience of a classroom teacher in that chamber would be invaluable for all New Yorkers,” Pallotta said. “John Mannion is a dedicated and tireless leader who is knowledgeable and passionate about public education, and will do a tremendous job representing his Central New York district.”
Pallotta noted that Mannion is a graduate of the union’s Member Organizing Institute which helped rally opposition to the proposed constitutional convention. He also participated in NYSUT’s Pipeline Project, which identifies and trains candidates to run for public office.
Candidates value a NYSUT endorsement. It means the passion and energy of volunteer activists who hand out literature, work phone banks and attend rallies, as well as financial contributions to help defray the cost of campaigns.
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
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