What's next after Biden-Harris endorsement?

Less than a week after the AFT and the AFL-CIO joined in a historic Labor movement endorsement of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the Democratic primary, members joined AFT President Randi Weingarten and national Biden/Harris campaign manager Julie Chávez Rodríguez on a telephone town hall on June 22 to discuss the endorsement and how the AFT and the Biden-Harris campaign will work together in the months ahead.  

“One endorsement is not enough,” Weingarten said. “We need to really engage our families, our communities, our friends—anywhere that we are seen as trusted messengers. There’s a huge amount of disinformation and fear in this country right now, and if we don’t engage members and communities in this choice, we run the risk of losing.”

Chávez Rodríguez reiterated the importance of actively engaging at the community level. “You are who people turn to in moments of distress and in moments of hope,” she said. “You all as trusted messengers are so vital. People rely on their network to ensure they are getting reliable information. You are that bridge for your communities.”

The primaries are still seven months away, but Weingarten pointed out that Republican candidates are already actively campaigning with attacks on public education, healthcare and unions. Starting conversations early is essential, and making sure people are aware of Biden’s list of accomplishments is key.

“This administration has created 13 million jobs and put in place historic economic, health and social programs, not just responding to the pandemic but building for the future—for example, through the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the game-changing student loan debt cancellation, fixing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and reducing child poverty through the child tax credit,” Weingarten said. And Biden and Harris “understand public education, healthcare, higher education and public employees far better than most other elected officials.”

“They have stood up for reproductive rights, voting rights and racial justice; protected LGBTQIA+ freedoms; delivered the most aggressive climate and environmental justice agenda in history; and signed meaningful bipartisan gun violence reforms into law.” Weingarten said. “And in the face of extremist politicians tearing at the fabric of American democracy, Biden and Harris have been leaders in defending our republic, fighting injustice and protecting our basic freedoms.”

One member from Pennsylvania noted that his local has started adding “Biden blurbs” to its regular newsletter, listing the administration’s accomplishments and how they benefit the membership. “We’ve gotten a positive response,” he said. “All politics is local, so we’re trying to make the accomplishments local, from decreasing costs to increasing wages. It all has benefits for our members and working people.”

Engaging young people who will be voting for the first time is also essential, but will be a hurdle, said a member from Houston.

“We have a lot of young people who are eligible to vote now,” he said. “But a lot of them feel jaded and skeptical because of a generational gap. What is the strategy to connect?”

Chávez Rodríguez said the campaign has a robust digital strategy, but more importantly, they are engaging on issues that young voters consider a priority.

“Young people care deeply about the issue of gun safety, the climate crisis and reproductive rights. We’re highlighting the work we’ve been able to do on the Safer Communities Act, and environmental and reproductive justice.”

Shah Santana, a teacher and member of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, agreed. “I’ve been able to register 95 percent of the senior class to vote by talking about gun safety, reproductive rights and climate change. If you meet them where they are, they want to have a say. They want their voices to be heard. We just have to educate them on these issues and offer civic engagement.”

Members also discussed the chilling effect of book bans and assaults on academic freedom.

“In states where that is an issue, groups are starting to stand up to the bullying,” Weingarten said. “They bully us to shut us up, but that’s why we respond as a movement. That’s why we do it together.”

Moving forward, the AFT will invest in voter registration programs, and will be working through local and state unions. Weingarten reiterated that this endorsement is for the Democratic primary, and the endorsement for the general election will be considered by delegates to the AFT’s 88th biennial convention, to be held in late July 2024 in Houston.

To engage in AFT’s political campaign and to get details on the Biden-Harris administration’s successes and priorities, visit AFTvotes.org and sign up for more information.

[Melanie Boyer]