The teachers union dealt a stinging blow to Rep. Charles Rangel’s re-election bid last night bid by endorsing challenger Adriano Espaillat for Congress.
The United Federation of Teachers backed Rangel in the past and its switch to Espaillat, a state senator, represents the biggest abandonment of the incumbent by Big Labor.
UFT presdident Mike Mulgrew praised Espaillat in a statement following Wednesday’s vote by the delegate assembly, which recommended that the state union support senator over Rangel.
“[Espaillat] has been a vocal champion for pre-k funding and for additional state aid for education, and a proponent of community schools, which put needed health and community services where they have the most impact – inside city schools,” Mulgrew said.
He said Espaillat has been a “leading voice” for banning standardized tests and has backed more auditing and oversight of charter schools.
“Senator Espaillat understands what New York schools need and will make sure the voices of teachers, parents and students are heard in Congress,” Mulgrew said.
Espaillat said he was “humbled by the support of the UFT and its 200,000 members.”
Rangel, 83, is seeking re-election to a 23rd term in a reconfigured district that takes in parts of The Bronx as well as northern Manhattan.
Rangel squeaked by Espaillat during their first Democratic primary fight two years ago.
But this time around Rangel has suffered a string of defections from the members of the Democratic establishment who stood with him two years ago.
Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, whose East Harlem district is part of Rangel’s, endorsed Espaillat after backing Rangel in 2012. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. also switched sides.
Some power brokers are sticking with Rangel, most notably Bill Clinton and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
The UFT has a mixed track record when it comes to endorsements. For example, it endorsed Bill Thompson in the Democratic primary for mayor last year. Bill de Blasio won.