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Press Release

Statement from MTA leadership on the Sept. 1 primary election

Theses candidates proved that running a campaign built on progressive, community-oriented values can win the day.
Canvass for Erika U. held in Medford in July
Published: September 2, 2026

Massachusetts Teachers Association President Matt Bach and Vice President Deb Gesualdo issued the following statement on the primary elections:

The Massachusetts Teachers Association congratulates state Senate candidates, Erika Uyterhoeven and Persis Yu, state representative candidates, Ben Ewan-Campen, John Drinkwater, Celina Reyes, Tara Hong, Lisa Field and Mike Connolly, and U.S. Senator Ed Markey for their victories in primary races, paving the way for their continued advocacy in state and federal government for public education and working families.

Theses candidates proved that running a campaign built on progressive, community-oriented values can win the day.

They proved that running a campaign built on progressive, community-oriented values can win the day. Elected legislators can never forget that they are accountable first and foremost to the voters. 

Special interests and corrosive, insider politics must be challenged, and we applaud every candidate who took on the status quo, especially as powerful corporate interests continue to buy political influence.

MTA members will keep organizing in our communities – including supporting candidates – to make Massachusetts a state where everyone has access to high-quality public education and affordable housing and healthcare.

We also look forward to our continued work alongside Senator Markey, who doesn’t back down in our shared fight against the billionaires trying to undermine the public good across the country.

MTA-recommended candidates

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A Diverse Union of Education Workers

The MTA represents 117,000 members in 400 local associations throughout Massachusetts. We are teachers, faculty, professional staff and Education Support Professionals working at public schools, colleges and universities across Massachusetts.