May 6, 2008

Alaska Educators Endorse Begich for Senate

From a Mark Begich press release:

Mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Begich today received the endorsement of the National Education Association (NEA) - Alaska chapter in his bid for the U.S. Senate. NEA-Alaska's 55-member Political Action Committee on Education (PACE) announced it had voted overwhelmingly to recommend Begich as its preferred candidate in Alaska's U.S. Senate race.

“I am incredibly honored to get the endorsement of the National Education Association,” Begich said. “It means a lot to me personally that one of my first endorsements is coming from educators. My family has a long tradition in education.”

Begich’s parents, Nick and Pegge Begich, were both teachers as are two of his sisters and a sister-in-law. Nick Begich was also a superintendent of schools before he ever ran for elected office.

“The fact that you made this endorsement early is especially important because it sends a message across our state that we need new leadership in Washington to fight for Alaska teachers, parents and children, and to make sure Alaskans have the best schools possible,” Begich said.

The NEA-Alaska endorsement was followed in Washington, D.C. by one from the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education, which represents 3.2 million teachers and other education employees across the country. NEA-Alaska represents 13,000 teachers and education support professionals throughout the state. Officials say NEA has targeted Alaska as a state of change.

Begich joined NEA officials at a news conference in Anchorage to announce the endorsement. NEA President Bill Bjork spoke on behalf of the organization.

“Mark Begich understands public education. From his father being a teacher down to his current family members who teach Alaska’s children, Mark understands the issues faced by Alaska’s children and public school employees,” Bjork said.

Begich, the father of a five-year-old, called the federal “No Child Left Behind” Act a disaster for Alaska and said as a senator he will work to build an education policy that allows Alaskans, not Washington, D.C., to decide what is best for educating Alaska’s children.

“I will also demand the supplemental funding the federal government promised, instead of leaving our communities on the hook,” Begich said. “And I’ll work for vital pre-school funding because we know the earliest years are the most important for our kids.”

The NEA endorsement is the second for the campaign. Last week, the Alaska State Employees Association/American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 52 announced its support for Begich.

For more information, go to www.begich.com.