Today, the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA)—the 74,000-member state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA)—announced the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education’s endorsement of Sen. Ben Cardin for re-election to the U.S. Senate.
“Educators proudly support Sen. Ben Cardin’s reelection because he shares our values,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcìa. “Given his track record in the U.S. Senate and continued commitment to students and public education, he will make sure that educators have a seat at the table not only to create stronger public schools and to move Maryland forward but to create a stronger country. I am confident that he will continue to staunchly fight to make sure that every student receives a quality public education regardless of her or his ZIP code.”
“As a proud product of Baltimore City Public Schools, I fully understand the transformative power of a quality public school education. MSEA and NEA share my goal of ensuring that all our children have the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment from the very best educators,” said Sen. Cardin. “Public schools help mold the next generation of citizens and, as a United States Senator, I will continue to fight to ensure Congress and the federal Department of Education maintain their responsibilities to safeguard the academic quality of our public schools and the resources necessary to educate Maryland students while also protecting the equality of our students and educators. Together, we can ensure that every child has an opportunity to succeed in the classroom.”
Sen. Cardin has a strong record of standing up for educators and our students. He was a vocal opponent of Betsy DeVos’ nomination to become U.S. Secretary of Education, voting no on her confirmation. In 2015, he supported the Every Student Succeeds Act, which repealed the failed No Child Left Behind, reduced emphasis on standardized testing, and handed back control on education policy decisions to local stakeholders. He also fought hard to preserve the $250 tax deduction for teachers who spend money out of pocket for school supplies.
“At a time when Donald Trump and the Congressional Republicans want to privatize education and dismantle our public schools, educators need our friend Ben Cardin back in the Senate now more than ever,” said MSEA President Betty Weller. “Marylanders need a strong defender of our rights—that’s exactly who Ben has been and that’s exactly who he’ll continue to be.”
The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education, the NEA’s national political action committee, provides direct financial support to candidates for president, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate who will fight to support teachers, staff, and students and improve public education. MSEA members are a well-known presence on Election Day, as thousands mobilize to promote endorsed candidates at polling places across Maryland with the Apple Ballot.
