Biden picks up teachers union endorsement

The American Federation of Teachers endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential race, the union announced Sunday. 

“From the beginning, our endorsement process and ultimate decision was guided by three principles: finding a candidate who shares our values, who has a clear path to victory, and who enjoys the support of a clear majority of our members,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said in an announcement. “That time has come, and that candidate is Joe Biden.”

Internal polling conducted by Hart Research on behalf of AFT shows a majority of Democratic members of AFT said they support Biden over his rival Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). 

The poll found 61 percent of Democratic members said they support Biden, compared to 29 percent that said they support Sanders. Among independents who said they vote in Democratic primaries, Biden had 50 percent support from members and Sanders had 37 percent support, based on the same poll. 

Biden shares AFT values on issues including investing in public education, college affordability, fixing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, fixing the healthcare system, and prioritizing clean energy and environmental justice, Weingarten said. 

“Before the COVID-19 epidemic, the 2020 election was about the soul of our country. Now it’s about our soul, our safety, our health, our security and our economic well-being. Joe Biden is the experienced and empathic leader our country needs right now,” Weingarten said. 

“His character was forged getting up and going to work every day and trying to make life better for his family, facing the ups and downs so many of us face; it was tested by unspeakable loss and grief in life; and it was nurtured through public service, a love of people and the belief in the dignity of every human,” she added. 

The union represents 1.7 million educators, healthcare professionals and public employees across more than 3,000 localities. 

Weingarten had previously announced her personal endorsement for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) who has since dropped out of the race. 

Biden has a commanding lead in the race, building on wins since his South Carolina primary win at the end of February. 

Sanders’s campaign manager said Wednesday the campaign would reassess in the coming weeks after Biden won sweeping victories Tuesday in Arizona, Florida and Illinois primaries.