The city’s teachers union has endorsed first-term Morris Cove Alder Leland Moore in his bid to become the next state representative for the 97th State House District. Moore’s campaign announced that endorsement in an email press release on Tuesday. The press release states that Moore has been endorsed by the New Haven Federation of Teachers and the CT State Federation of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT-CT). The press release also identifies Moore, an assistant state attorney general, as “a proud AFT-CT member.” The teachers union endorsement is just the latest in the Democratic primary contest between Moore and city Fair Rent Commission Executive Director Wildaliz Bermudez. Early voting began on Monday; the primary itself is on Aug. 11. “We are proud to endorse Leland Moore for Connecticut State House of Representatives,” city teachers union President Leslie Blatteau is quoted as saying in Tuesday’s press release. “Teachers are on the front lines in confronting our state’s inequality, and we know it is going to take a movement to move from the status quo. Leland’s priorities are clear: he will fight for teachers, our students, and our schools. No one can win this fight alone, and so I am excited to see that he just doesn’t talk the talk. He shows up to meetings and to actions. When we’re fighting against Trump’s attacks through No Kings rallies and when we’re fighting for Yale to pay its fair share, Leland is there.”  “Leland knows that New Haven teachers and students deserve more,” New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) teacher Max Comando is quoted as saying in Tuesday’s press release. “Overcrowded classrooms, school buildings that have mold and lack air conditioning, the simple scarcity of school supplies are things that make our jobs harder and get in the way of student learning. We need more staff and support so that our jobs can be sustainable and students can get what they deserve. Leland will fight alongside us.”  “I was delighted to hear the teachers endorsed Leland,” former NHPS educator and current Annex Alder Sal Punzo is quoted as saying in that same press release. “It’s clear that he is on the side of working families in our district and our city.”  The press release also includes praise from State Rep. Al Paolillo, Jr., who has held the 97th District seat for the past decade and is running to represent the 11th State Senate District now that Martin Looney is retiring. “It is truly an honor to have the support and endorsement of NHFT and AFT,” Moore is quoted as saying in the press release. “As a former public-school kid, I would not be where I am today without the teachers who inspired me to pursue public service. Today, our system of public education is under attack and under resourced. Our educators are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet while meeting the challenges of the modern classroom. I am proud to stand alongside NHFT and AFT to fight back against Trump’s backward vision for education and advocate for teachers to have truly affordable health care, well maintained schools, and the support they need to help the next generation of New Havener’s thrive.” The post Teachers Union Endorses Moore appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less