MEA backs Allen, Pingree

The Maine Education Association has endorsed Tom Allen for U.S. Senate and Chellie Pingree for the First Congressional District.

Following the endorsement of Allen, incumbent Susan Collins’ campaign fired off a press release announcing her support from members of the education community.

The MEA is the union representing 25,000 teachers in Maine. The endorsements are based on candidate interviews and voting records.

In a release, MEA President Chris Galgay cited Pingree’s experience as a school board member and her track record on education issues. Pingree, D-North Haven, is running against Charlie Summers, R-Scarborough, for the seat being vacated by Allen.

Specifically, he noted her support of:

·         Including programs in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that enhance family and community involvement in schools

·         Eliminating Social Security penalties that deny Maine’s educators their earned retirement benefits

·         Increased flexibility for states for designing student and school accountability systems that allow for a combination of assessments

“It is time to put the decision-making about public education back where it belongs,” Galgay said. “Chellie Pingree understands that the best decisions are made by educators who are in our classrooms.”

On the Allen endorsement, Galgay said the current Congressman is best suited to work for a change in policy for the public schools. Allen, D-Portland, is challenging incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Bangor.

"His views are closest to the hearts of educators and his record of support for our issues is outstanding. He is committed to giving teachers the respect they deserve and the time and resources they need to do their job well," Galgay said in a release.

Allen said: "If we are to compete globally, we must have a strong educational system and college tuition must be affordable. In the U.S. Senate, I will continue my work on behalf of educators to get the job done."

Shortly after the Allen campaign sent out the release on the endorsements, the Collins campaign sent one that also touted support from Maine’s education community. The release rattled off a number of Collins’ achievements surrounding education.

The release announced the formation of the group Educators for Collins – 70 Maine educators who have declared their support.

"Susan Collins truly understands the importance of a good education.  A good education requires good teachers, and good teachers require the support of those at the highest levels of government.  Susan has always fought for us," said Diane Hayes, Co-Chair of Educators for Collins, and a second grade teacher at Fourteenth Street School in Bangor, in the release.