Ex-Montclair Mayor Defeated In Election For National Teachers Union Presidency

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Sean Spiller’s campaign for the presidency of the National Education Association ended without a victory this week.

Spiller, the former mayor of Montclair, announced that he was seeking the presidency of the largest labor union in the United States last year.

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The National Education Association (NEA) represents public school teachers and college faculty across the nation. Its members gather for an annual meeting in July to elect officers and set policy. Nearly 6,000 delegates gathered for the 2026 Representative Assembly this week, electing Princess Moss – an elementary school music teacher from Virginia – as their new president.

Spiller finished third in this year’s voting, the New Jersey Globe reported.

Spiller ran for New Jersey governor as a Democrat in 2025, losing to Gov. Mikie Sherrill in the primary election. He previously served as president of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA).

• Related: NJ Group Linked To Teacher Union Spends Millions To Elect Sean Spiller
• Related: Report Compares Spiller, Baraka Campaign Spending In 2025 Governor Race

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