Retiree Council 13 News

“NYSUT is endorsing these candidates because they have committed to ending the stonewalling in Washington and are eager to roll up their sleeves and do the hard but vital work of bipartisan negotiations,” Person continued. “Rather than finger-pointing and name-calling, they will spend their time and energy on the issues that unite us all — strong public education, affordable healthcare, good jobs, and ensuring freedom and opportunity for all Americans.”

Lawmakers signed for a variety of reasons, from Mondaire Jones, running for NY District 17, who credits public education with lifting him out of poverty and into the halls of Congress, to Pat Ryan (NY-18) who considers the pledge essential, given the current dysfunctional nature of congress. Both signed at the Orange County event.

“This pledge presents a positive, alternative vision of what Congress can and should be,” said Ryan.

John Mannion (NY-22) echoed the sentiments at the Onondaga County event. “We've seen a deterioration of the truth, civility, and bipartisanship,” said Mannion, who joined fellow lawmaker Josh Riley (NY-19) in signing on. “We cannot achieve the American dream if we are not all pushing in the same direction.”

“We are all dedicated to the concept that there is so much more that unites us than divides us,” said Laura Gillen (NY-04), who signed on with fellow candidates John Avlon (NY-01) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03). “And that starts, we all know, with a really solid education.”

The signings kick off NYSUT’s Common Ground Over Chaos campaign, mobilizing thousands of members statewide to make calls and knock on doors on behalf of endorsed candidates in vital swing districts. “We need to turn the page on chaos and division and make sure we have leaders in place who know how to compromise without sacrificing values,” said NYSUT Board member Matt Haynes, Tri-Valley Teachers Association president. Haynes moderated the Orange County event with fellow NYSUT Board members Kim McEvoy, Anthony Nicodemo and Sparrow Tobin.