After interviewing the candidates and learning about their stances on education and labor issues, MEA’s Statewide Screening & Recommendation Committee has voted to support Elissa Slotkin in her bid to become Michigan’s next U.S. Senator.

MEA’s backing marks the 17th labor union – and largest public employee union to date – to support Slotkin in the race to replace retiring U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. MEA’s recommendation also comes with the national backing of the 3-million-member National Education Association (NEA).

“Throughout her time in Congress, Elissa Slotkin has been an amazing advocate for everyday teachers, school support staff and higher education employees across Michigan,” said MEA President Chandra Madafferi in a release by the campaign. “Educators, parents and students need a champion on their side, and that’s why the MEA is proud to recommend Elissa Slotkin for the U.S. Senate.”

Also from Monday’s release:

In Congress, Slotkin has been a consistent advocate for increased federal funding for critical education programs like Title I and Title II. She has supported legislation that would fully fund special education and is committed to ensuring that all retired teachers receive their hard-earned Social Security benefits.

Slotkin has consistently put workers first, voting repeatedly to protect union pensions and to raise the minimum wage, recently co-sponsoring the Raise the Wage Act of 2023 to raise the minimum wage to $17 by 2028. Slotkin also worked with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to craft the initial framework for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes prevailing wage provisions and is already creating thousands of union, family-sustaining jobs across Michigan as we rebuild our infrastructure.

The other 16 unions that have endorsed Slotkin for Senate include the Michigan Building Trades Council, the Michigan Pipe Trades Association, the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA), and the Michigan State Conference of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), among others.

Earlier this summer, Slotkin was endorsed by former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens. Slotkin has also picked up endorsements from State Senator Mallory McMorrow, Governor Jim Blanchard, Gabby Giffords & Giffords PAC, EMILY’s List, VoteVets, End Citizens United / Let America Vote, and Foreign Policy for America, and nearly 100 Michigan elected officials and community leaders.

MEA’s Statewide Screening & Recommending Committee is made up of MEA members from across the state, including teachers, education support professionals, higher education faculty and staff, school retirees and aspiring educators.  All candidates from both major parties are invited to interview with the committee – this year, a total of five Democrats and one Republican completed questionnaires on education and labor issues and met with the committee members to speak more about their views on these important issues.

Stay tuned to MEA for more information about Congresswoman Slotkin as the 2024 campaign unfolds and she works with educators across Michigan to become our next U.S. Senator.