MTA endorses Senator Ed Markey for re-election
MTA endorses Senator Ed Markey for re-election
The Massachusetts Teachers Association, which represents 117,000 teachers, faculty, specialists, professional staff and Education Support Professionals working at public schools, colleges and universities across Massachusetts, is officially endorsing Ed Markey for re-election to the United States Senate.
Senator Markey has stood shoulder to shoulder with public preK-16 MTA educators as a fighter who carries the values of working families into every Senate battle. From the classroom to the Senate floor, Senator Markey has made clear that strong public schools and strong unions are the backbone of a healthy democracy.
“Senator Markey understands that public education and labor rights form the backbone of the middle class,” said MTA President Max Page. “His advocacy on behalf of working families, educators and students has benefited communities not just in Massachusetts but across the country. In a time when the Trump administration is attacking public education and trying to strip away union rights, we could ask for no better champion than Ed Markey to stand with us in protecting the values that are important to our members and to the families of Massachusetts.”
MTA Vice President Deb McCarthy added, “Senator Markey is a leader, not a follower. We saw that firsthand when he tirelessly fought to restore Social Security retirement benefits unfairly withheld from public employees, including tens of thousands of public school educators in Massachusetts. And he is a leader in a national movement to end the exploitation of Education Support Professionals by introducing federal legislation that guarantees minimum pay levels for ESPs and paraprofessionals.”
Senator Markey said he was deeply honored to earn the support of MTA educators, calling them the backbone of public preK-16 education and the people shaping the futures of our students, classrooms, and communities.
“I am honored to earn the endorsement of the Massachusetts Teachers Association,” said U.S. Senator Ed Markey. “MTA educators are on the front lines every day, fighting to make sure every student – no matter their zip code – gets the world-class public education Massachusetts is known for. They understand that our students’ learning conditions are educators’ working conditions, and when educators have the support, resources, and respect they deserve, students thrive. That fight – for students, for fairness, and for dignity on the job – is my fight too, and I will continue to stand with public education workers in the Senate every step of the way.”
Senator Ed Markey has been a relentless champion for public school teachers, education support professionals, and students – delivering concrete wins while fighting back against MAGA extremist attacks on public education. His record includes:
- Senator Markey was a leading champion of the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) – unfair policies that for decades slashed the earned Social Security benefits of retired public school teachers and other public servants. The repeal restored full benefits to nearly three million retirees nationwide, including tens of thousands of Massachusetts educators.
- Senator Ed Markey was among the first leaders to support the MTA-backed Fair Share Amendment ballot campaign in 2022, creating a fairer tax system which has since delivered more than $3.5 billion for public schools and colleges.
- Senator Markey consistently opposed Trump-backed efforts to undermine public education, including rejecting Trump’s Secretary of Education nomination and calling out attempts to gut public school funding.
- As Trump and MAGA extremists renewed attacks on educators, Senator Markey introduced the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, pushing back against efforts to weaken public education and the workforce that sustains it. In December 2025, Senator Markey stood with MTA educators to discuss his legislation and to underscore the vital role ESPs play in supporting students and strengthening public schools every day.
- Senator Markey authored and championed legislation to remove toxic substances – including lead and asbestos – from public school buildings and to improve indoor air quality nationwide. His work has focused on ensuring that students and teachers learn and work in healthy and safe environments.
- Senator Markey has been a vocal defender of immigrant students and protecting our public schools as safe spaces, and has pushed back against policies that terrorize families and disrupt learning. He has fought to protect students’ access to education regardless of immigration status and opposed enforcement actions that target school communities.
- Senator Markey has consistently defended and strengthened federal investments in public education, including Title I and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to ensure schools have the resources to serve students with disabilities, students from low-income families, and communities with the greatest needs.