NEA-RI endorses Chafee for Governor

Here is the union’s message in support of Linc Chafee, who is running as an independent, for governor.

National Education Association Rhode Island endorses Lincoln Chafee for governor:National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI) President Larry Purtill today announced that Independent candidate Lincoln Chafee has received the organization’s endorsement for governor.

“NEARI is excited to support Lincoln Chafee for governor,” said Purtill. “Our members are public school teachers, education support professionals, higher education faculty and staff, and state and municipal employees, and they have all come to the same conclusion – Rhode Island needs new leadership in the governor’s office. We need a governor who will deal with public sector unions and other advocates for children in a respectful way. We need a governor who will make decisions based on actual data and bring Rhode Islanders together to move our state forward. We need a governor who cares about children and working families.

“We believe that Linc Chafee will be that governor. Linc Chafee cares deeply about children and public education and he understands the hard work that our members do every day. Linc Chafee has a sincere interest in working with us to make Rhode Island a better place for all its citizens, and we expect his tenure as governor will have a unifying effect on our state.”

NEARI Executive Director Bob Walsh stated, “The National Education Association Rhode Island stands ready to help elect Linc Chafee. We believe that Linc Chafee understands the critical role that public education at all levels plays in our state. Linc Chafee is an experienced leader we can trust. We will work to ensure that our more than 11,500 members understand the stakes of the upcoming election, and that they have the resources they need to make an informed decision and participate fully in the process.”

“I am very pleased to receive NEARI’s endorsement for the first time in my career,” said Chafee. “Rhode Island needs a governor who understands the critical role that education plays in economic development. Good schools are the key to strong communities where families can live and businesses can prosper. I will make education a centerpiece of our economic strategy and will work tirelessly to make our state’s education system the finest in the country.”

Karen Comiskey Jenkins

Communications Director

National Education Association RI

401-463-9630 FAX 401-463-5337

www.neari.org