AFT President Randi Weingarten and AFT New Mexico Stephanie Ly on New Mexico’s Election of Michelle Lujan Grisham for Governor

WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten on the election of Michelle Lujan Grisham for governor of New Mexico:

“New Mexicans elected Michelle Lujan Grisham because her vision for a thriving New Mexico includes good jobs, affordable healthcare and well-supported public schools. Gov.-elect Lujan Grisham is the antidote to years of Susana Martinez’s unlawful underinvestment in public education and her obsession with testing over teaching. Lujan Grisham will push for investments to meet the state’s obligation to adequately educate all children, and she’ll undo punitive testing and evaluation systems. She respects and values educators, and they worked hard for her election.”

AFT New Mexico President Stephanie Ly agreed:

"Congratulations to Gov.-elect Michelle Lujan Grisham and Lt. Gov.-elect Howie Morales, to AFT New Mexico-endorsed federal and state candidates up and down the ballot, and to voters across New Mexico, who rejected the politics of division by casting votes for a brighter and more progressive future for New Mexico. Tonight's results are a strike against the cynicism toward and harm done to our profession, students and communities over the last eight years in our state and the last two years since the presidential election.

"For months, our members have been knocking on doors, making calls and mobilizing to put each of these candidates in office. Now, we look forward to working alongside them as partners to build a state where public schools, healthcare, respect for our profession and working-family values are the top priorities."