Assemblyman Mark Walczyk, R-Watertown, has been endorsed by the state’s largest teacher’s union, New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).

NYSUT comprises over 1,200 local unions across the state and represents teachers, college and university staff, school bus drivers and other workers.

In making the announcement, Walczyk’s re-election campaign said he has “made it a priority to visit every school district in his Assembly district. Walczyk sat down with superintendents, teachers, and students to talk about the issues important to them and what Albany can do better to provide more resources to give students a better educational experience.”

“I’m so proud and humbled by the Teacher's (NYSUT) endorsement. I’ll continue to fight alongside Northern New York's educators, pushing for adequate funding for our schools to ensure our next generation gets an education deserving of the future leaders they are,” Walczyk said in a prepared statement from his campaign. "Politics is pushing funding to New York City and the other big city schools so we need to continue to build coalitions to ensure schools in rural New York are treated with fairness. I've fought hard for parity in school funding and having an alley in NYSUT is key to our future. The teachers in our communities do so much to educate and enrich the lives of our youth and I'm proud to have them standing with me on Election Day."

“It is with great pride and jubilance to hear that Assemblyman Mark Walczyk has received the endorsement of NYSUT, a growing grassroots organization of 600,000 members strong! As a NYSUT member and Village Mayor, I can attest to the fact Mr. Walczyk is committed to our school communities and families here in the Front Yard of America. Assemblyman Walczyk is always available, even if you find him on the Assembly floor arguing a flawed budget at two in the morning," Michael Hammond, a fifth grade teacher and mayor of Rensselaer Falls, said in the announcement.

“Assemblyman Mark Walczyk ‘gets it.’ He knows the challenges North Country schools face and that’s because he listens. NYSUT endorsing Assemblyman Walczyk speaks volumes to his knowledge of the issues Upstate schools face and I’m proud to know that he’s fighting for us,” said Elementary teacher Jo Anne Kirkby.

"Mark Walczyk has always been a huge supporter of education, students, and teachers in NYS. He has always fought hard for fair funding and North Country values in education," said U.S. history teacher Dan Skamperle.

Assemblyman Walczyk is seeking his second term as Assemblyman. His district is made up of portions of Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties, which he commonly refers to as the “Front Yard of America.”

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