September 14, 2015

In Case You Missed It: Hillary Clinton Earns Key New Hampshire Endorsements

Manchester - Hillary Clinton earned three more key endorsements this morning, from the state's largest educator and public employee union, National Education Association-New Hampshire (NEA-NH), Congresswoman Annie Kuster, and former Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives Terie Norelli. 
 
"I am honored and humbled to have earned the support of these two outstanding women leaders who have consistently championed issues important to women and families, as well as the New Hampshire National Education Association, which has been a tireless partner in protecting and strengthening education in the Granite State," said Hillary Clinton. "I hope to work closely with Congresswoman Kuster, Speaker Norelli, and the NEA-NH members and families to ensure that New Hampshire families have the tools they need to get ahead and stay ahead."
 
These endorsements come on the heels of three other high-profile endorsements.  Earlier this month, Senator Jeanne Shaheen endorsed at the kick-off of Women for Hillary in Portsmouth, last week in the Concord Monitor State Senator Dan Feltes penned an op-ed calling Hillary Clinton "the fighter the middle class needs", and on Sunday progressive activist Dean Barker, who the Boston Globe called a "voice for the progressive grassroots" in New Hampshire, endorsed Hillary Clinton.
 
In a joint op-ed in the Concord Monitor, Congresswoman Annie Kuster and former New Hampshire Speaker of the House Terie Norelli announced their strong support for Hillary Clinton, citing her commitment to working families. 
 
"As current and former elected officials, we are proud to do our part to keep our tradition of smart, compassionate, effective leadership thriving and moving the Granite State forward. Now, we are proud to begin the first-in-the-nation electoral process to elect the first female president of the United States – Hillary Clinton – and to move America forward," wrote Congresswoman Annie Kuster and former Speaker Terie Norelli. "With all the challenges facing hard-working Granite State families, we need a champion. And as the first woman ever to serve as president, Hillary Clinton will be our champion."
 
Also this morning, the NEA-NH announced its endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president in a press release, throwing the support of more than 16,000 members and their families behind Hillary Clinton in the first-in-the-nation primary campaign.
 
“Hillary Clinton has been a tireless fighter for both students and educators throughout her career,” said Scott McGilvray, NEA-NH President. “From her days going door-to-door to help improve access to public education to her fight in the Senate pushing back against harmful measures that would damage our public schools, Hillary has proven over and over again that she puts students and educators first. Hillary understands the power of a strong public education system and the difference a quality education will make in a child’s life, and she is ready to stand up for our teachers, strengthen our education system, and ensure that every child in America has access to a quality public education that will prepare them for lifelong educational and economic achievement.”
 
 
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NEA-NH

NEA-NH Announces Clinton Endorsement

CONCORD, NH, September 14, 2015 – Today National Education Association-New Hampshire (NEA-NH), the state’s largest educator and public employee union, announced its endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president, throwing the support of more than 16,000 members and their families behind Clinton during New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary campaign.
“Hillary Clinton has been a tireless fighter for both students and educators throughout her career,” said Scott McGilvray, NEA-NH President. “From her days going door-to-door to help improve access to public education to her fight in the Senate pushing back against harmful measures that would damage our public schools, Hillary has proven over and over again that she puts students and educators first. Hillary understands the power of a strong public education system and the difference a quality education will make in a child’s life, and she is ready to stand up for our teachers, strengthen our education system, and ensure that every child in America has access to a quality public education that will prepare them for lifelong educational and economic achievement.”

“Hillary’s call for universal pre-K in Rochester earlier this year shows that she understands the vital role public education plays in helping our children succeed,” said Megan Tuttle, NEA-NH Vice President and Pembroke teacher.  “Hillary understands how important it is that every child has the same access to quality early childhood education so that they get off to the right start on their path to lifelong educational achievement. We need a president like Hillary who will expand and strengthen access to public education, not make damaging cuts that restrict our children’s opportunities.”

“Hillary has consistently stood up for public educators and worked to ensure that our public schools receive the support they need,” said Allison Estes Brown, Plymouth Special Education Teacher. “She has fought back against damaging voucher programs and counterproductive standards that harm schools instead of help them. Hillary understands the difference committed, talented teachers make in a child’s life, and she is ready to take action to ensure that our public schools are staffed with the best and brightest Americans.”
NEA-NH’s recommendation process began in May and included face-to face interviews by a representative committee of teachers, education support professionals and retired members. Their recommendation was forwarded to NEA-NH’s member-elected Executive Board for comment and approval. The entire process is described in a series of articles here on our website.

For Immediate Release, September 14, 2015