ENDORSEMENTS!

If you get the Maine Democratic Party emails (yes, I do), then you probably saw that the MEA recommended that Tom Allen be endorsed by the NEA. The NEA, after some conversation among members of the Fund for Children and Public Schools (the PAC), agreed.

If you get Senator Collins' campaign emails (yes, I do), then you know that the Educators for Collins released a long list of reasons why a long list of Maine teachers are supporting her. I was surprised that my name was not listed among them, but apparently I'm not as big a fish as I thought, even in my little pond. Oh well, little fish swim through the weir, right?

What I feel needs to be said about all this is that both Senator Collins and Representative Allen have earned A ratings from the NEA legislative staff. Some members of the staff felt strongly that Sen. Collins, as an incumbent and a friendly Republican, deserved our endorsement. Her presentation to the MEA screening and endorsement team was very strong and many members felt that we ought to endorse her. Then the team heard from Tom Allen, who made a compelling case that the opportunity and the stakes were much larger than the one Senate seat. The team debated for some time, and after a secret ballot (yes it was divided, but I won't give up the totals because it is secret), Rep. Allen won the team's support.

The NEA does not offer states the opportunity to give dual endorsements unless two incumbents are pitted against each other due to redistricting. I cannot say that dual endorsement would have been the preference of this team because we ruled out the possibility at the outset. I can say that it would have been my preference -- these are two good friends of NEA. It is unfortunate that we had to choose between them, and in doing so, risk alienating or weakening out relationship with the other.

Oh, and you may have heard that Chellie Pingree was endorsed over Charlie Summers for the First District House seat. Ms. Pingree was very knowledgeable and supportive of MEA's and NEA's concerns, referencing her years of experience in the Maine Legislature. Mr. Summers was somewhat less supportive on some issues, but I still give him props for coming to speak to us. Some Republican candidates (e.g. gubernatorial candidate Chandler Woodcock) don't bother to schedule time with MEA. While Democrats may get endorsed more frequently, te dialogue itself is still an important signal to many voters -- especially those more independent members.