The MTA is recommending that voters elect Maura Healey, a strong advocate for public education and working families, to serve as the next governor of Massachusetts.
Healey, currently the state’s attorney general, tops a list of statewide candidates who have earned the MTA’s backing after careful consideration by the member-driven Candidate Recommendation Committee. The MTA Board of Directors also has approved the recommendations.
MTA President Max Page said the unionsupported candidates will elevate public educators and education during their terms in office.
"We in the MTA, the union of 115,000 public school and college educators, are glad to raise our voices in support of candidates we believe will serve working families, respect unionized educators and value public education, from prekindergarten through college," Page said.
The MTA recommends Tami Gouveia to serve as the state’s next lieutenant governor, Shannon Liss-Riordan for attorney general, Diana DiZoglio for state auditor, and William Galvin for secretary of state.
The statewide primary election will be held on Sept. 6. The general election is Nov. 8.
The election will also feature mail-in balloting and early voting periods. Information is available at www.MassEarlyVote.com.
The MTA-recommended candidates have pledged to support educators’ priorities, including passing the Fair Share Amendment, working to address the impact of MCAS on teaching to the whole child, ensuring sufficient funding for public schools and colleges, and reducing education loan debt for students attending public colleges and universities.
Shortly after she gained the MTA’s backing, Healey met in Worcester with a group of Education Support Professionals from throughout the state to hear more about the challenges they face.
"I am the proud daughter of public school educators," Healey said. "They taught me the meaning of hard work, compassion, and caring for your community. I’m grateful to have the MTA’s support and partnership as we continue to make our public schools and colleges equitable, thriving places for our students."
In backing Healey, MTA leaders noted that as attorney general she has demonstrated a commitment to racial, social and gender justice — and that she entered the campaign understanding that public education is foundational to the quality of life in Massachusetts. She also has battled to protect the state’s communities from gun violence, shield student borrowers from predatory lenders, and preserve the dignity of retirees.
In August, Gouveia, Liss-Riordan and DiZoglio all spoke at the "Political Desserts" session held at the 2022 MTA Summer Conference.
Gouveia, a state representative whose background is in public health, said her goal as lieutenant governor would be to place "health, well-being and dignity" at the center of decision-making.
Liss-Riordan, a veteran labor-rights lawyer, said she supports ending the prohibition on public employees from striking and opposes expanding charter schools and state receivership of school districts.
"I will be fighting systemic discrimination against race, age, sex and ability," Liss-Riordan said.
DiZoglio, currently a state senator, said she wants to be state auditor to increase transparency and accountability in state government. In discussing her support for the Fair Share Amendment, which will place a 4 percent surtax on annual income over $1 million to generate funds for public education and transportation, DiZoglio said that as auditor she will make sure the money goes to its intended uses.
The MTA is recommending Galvin because of his extensive experience and long commitment to protecting and expanding voting rights — particularly now, as they come under fierce attack across the country. Galvin supports Election Day registration, continued use of mail-in ballots and extended periods for in-person voting.
MTA Vice President Deb McCarthy said the candidates who earned the union’s support have "shown up for labor and supported public education."
"We know our power resides in our members and their ability to organize and take action," McCarthy said. "We believe that the candidates we are recommending will treat us with respect and work to make state government transparent and accountable to working families."
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