Citing his dedication to excellence in the classroom and track record of treating teachers with respect, the Virginia Education Association (VEA) announced their endorsement of Sen. Ralph Northam for lieutenant governor. The VEA will communicate to their 60,000 members Sen. Northam’s record of supporting funding for early childhood education, proposing higher wages to recruit the best and brightest to teach in our classrooms, and respecting all education professionals. The organization also notes Northam’s support of vocational schools, making community college more affordable, and giving Virginia residents a leg up when applying to in-state private universities.
“As a pediatrician and husband of an elementary teacher, Sen. Ralph Northam is a champion for children who understands that excellence in the classroom, universal access to early childhood education, and competitive wages to recruit the best teachers will give every child the opportunity to become a future leader in the Commonwealth,” said VEA President Meg Gruber. “The next lieutenant governor will have a key role ushering critical education bills through the General Assembly and that is why we are supporting Ralph Northam.”
The VEA’s support could be the margin of victory for Sen, Northam in his Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor.
“I am honored to have the support of thousands of education professionals across the Commonwealth,” said Northam. “I know that a great education and healthy upbringing is the formula for success for every Virginia child. In the Senate, I have fought for early childhood education, safety guidelines to protect student athletes who suffer concussions, and Gov. Tim Kaine’s smoking ban to promote our families’ health. As lieutenant governor, I will always be an advocate for our children.”
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