Teachers Union, Governor Rally For Harvie At Weekend Events In Bucks

BUCKS COUNTY, PA – The president of the American Federation of Teachers and the governor of Pennsylvania were in Bucks County over the weekend to rally the vote for Bob Harvie, who is running for U.S. Congress in Pennsylvania's 1st District.

Teachers, union members, and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten and AFT Pennsylvania President (AFTPA) Wendy Coleman were here on Saturday to rally for Harvie, a former school teacher.

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AFT leaders hosted a canvass kickoff for Harvie, who spent 26 years as a social studies teacher at the Bucks County Technical School in Fairless Hills, to engage voters on why they should elect pro-union, pro-public-education and pro-working family candidates up and down the ballot on Election Day.

Both AFTPA and local Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) chapter have endorsed Harvie in his race against incumbent Republican Congressman Brain Fitzpatrick, who received an endorsement earlier this year from the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the largest union in Pennsylvania.

At the rally, attendees heard from the AFT leaders and Harvie as they spoke about the importance of lowering the cost of food, fuel, and family expenses, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and investing in public schools and affordable and accessible colleges.

"I am so grateful to have AFT and a team of fellow public school teachers here in Bucks County to help us get out the vote," said Harvie. "I loved being a teacher, and it's an honor to have so many teachers and educators backing me in this race. PA-01 will help determine control of Congress, and when we win on Tuesday, I will get to work fighting to lower costs, strengthen Social Security and Medicare, and invest in our public education system."

"Traveling across the country, I've met too many people who are racked with anxiety about the price of gas, groceries, healthcare and the feeling that the American Dream has become a cruel mirage," said AFT President Randi Weingarten. "Voters in Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District can help change that, and help deliver a Democratic House majority, by electing Bob Harvie to Congress. He's a former teacher who will stand with working people, not corrupt billionaires, and fight for a better life for all Pennsylvanians. We were proud to join Bob and AFT Pennsylvania President Wendy Coleman in Bucks County to help get out the vote – and send a message that we are not powerless. Voting is a lever we can pull to make this country work for 'we the people.'"

On Sunday, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was back in Bucks County to rally with Harvie and other Democratic candidates in the final days leading up to the Midterms. The Governor again threw his support behind Harvie reminding the crowd that a vote for Harvie is a vote for Democratic control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

"If you elect Bob Harvie, you quite literally will be the county that decides who will be in charge of the Congress of the United States," said Governor Shapiro. "I don't know about you, but I don't want a rubber stamp for Donald Trump. I want a check on Donald Trump."