Baltimore Teachers Union Endorses Brandon Scott for Mayor
Union Representing Thousands of City Teachers and School Professionals Praise Brandon’s Vision for Baltimore Baltimore, MD (Friday, May 22, 2020) — TODAY, the Baltimore Teachers Union (BTU) joined an ever-growing coalition of groups, frontline workers, and working-family-focused organizations, endorsing City Council President Brandon Scott’s campaign for Mayor. “Every aspect of Brandon’s vision places the needs and futures of Baltimore’s kids at the forefront,” said Diamonté Brown, President of BTU. “Having a partner like Brandon in the Mayor’s Office will go a long way for our members and the students they care for. By seeking to attack the root of our city’s challenges and enact policy with a mind to equity, Brandon’s vision for a new way forward in Baltimore has the potential to change lives. We’re proud to stand with him and help make it happen. BTU members spoke loudly and clearly, and they want Brandon Scott to be the next mayor of Baltimore.” “Education was the difference maker in my life,” Brandon Scott said on the endorsement. “The opportunities that I got in Baltimore public schools set me on a path to success and it was the PSRPs and teachers in those schools that made it happen. Baltimore City Schools’ staff see the best potential and confront the worst problems that arise out of our neighborhoods. I admire their work and can’t stress enough how grateful I am to have their support in this race.” The Baltimore Teachers Union represents 7,000 members including teachers, paraprofessionals, social workers, school psychologists, secretaries, guidance counselors, occupational and physical therapists, speech pathologists, librarians, school bus aides, and a variety of other people who make schools work. In an effort to increase the transparency and engagement of its political work, the BTU COPE Committee engaged in a revamped political endorsement process that included questionnaires, interviews, interactive member forums that were publicly live streamed, and direct member polling. At every stage of this process, Council President Scott received rave reviews for his authenticity, energy, and thorough and specific plans for transforming city government into a democratic and accountable institution. Other recent endorsements from unions and progressive organizations include 1199 SEIU, 32BJ SEIU, 500 SEIU, UNITE HERE! Local 7, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 27, Mid-Atlantic Laborers International Union of North America Building Trades, Amalgamated Transit Union, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, IUPAT DC 51, Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund, and People for the American Way's Next Up Victory Fund. Brandon Scott serves as Baltimore City Council President. Prior to May 2019, he represented District 2 as a councilmember. He is a lifelong Baltimorean and proud graduate of Baltimore City Schools. He lives in Baltimore’s Frankford neighborhood.