Gomes is running in the Feb. 24 special election to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Andres Ayala, who was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles by Governor Malloy.
“Ed is a proven leader and outspoken advocate for public education,” said CEA President Sheila Cohen. “During his 11 years in the state Senate, educators could always count on him to stand up for students, teachers, and public education. We know that as a state senator, he will continue to make tough choices, and do what is right for Connecticut’s children and public education.”
AFT Connecticut President Melodie Peters said Gomes is a civil rights champion and has been a force in Connecticut’s labor movement for more than 50 years.
“Ed has earned our support,” said Peters, whose union members also include public schools’ support staff, nurses and healthcare workers, higher education faculty, and state and municipal employees. “We know he can hit the ground running and work with educators, healthcare professionals, and state employees to fight for great schools, affordable, quality healthcare and strong public services.”
The CEA Board of Directors unanimously voted to endorse Gomes at its January meeting. Members of AFT Connecticut’s legislative and political action committee earlier this month recommended support for Gomes’ candidacy to the federation’s executive committee which unanimously endorsed his bid to return to the state Senate.
“Ed is kind and thoughtful, but also fearless and passionate in his belief that the so-called corporate reform movement is a negative force in public education,” said Cohen. “He will fight efforts to treat our children as commodities to be profited from and focus on public education’s mission of excellence and equity for all students.”
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The Connecticut Education Association (CEA) represents 43,000 teachers in Connecticut.
AFT Connecticut represents more than 29,000 professionals across the state, including PreK-12 teachers, paraeducators and education support personnel in 29 local and regional school districts.
This communication is paid for by AFT Connecticut and is intended for members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions only. It is not paid for or endorsed by any political party or candidate’s campaign.
