Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association Announces Endorsement of Christine Jennings

SARASOTA, FL – May 19, 2008 – In a press conference earlier today, the Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association (SC/TA) announced its endorsement of Democrat Christine Jennings in her race for the U.S. House of Representatives.

“We are proud to announce Christine Jennings as our choice to represent Florida’s 13^th Congressional District in Washington,” said SC/TA President Pat Gardner at the news conference. “Christine will make our children’s education a top priority in Congress. We can count on Christine’s honesty and integrity as she works for the funding and the policies that children in our area and beyond need for the highest quality education.”

“I am so honored to receive the endorsement of the Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association,” said Jennings. “I’ve always believed that a strong public school system is the foundation of economic opportunity for America’s children. The SC/TA fights every day to make that a reality for students and their families here in Sarasota County. As District 13’s next member of Congress, I look forward to working together with SC/TA toward a brighter future for our children.”

SC/TA is the bargaining representative of the instructional and classified employees of the Sarasota County School District. SC/TA has helped its members provide the best education possible for the students of Sarasota County for over 60 years. SC/TA is dedicated to striving for academic excellence, in addition to advocating for the rights and economic interests of its more than 4,000 members.

The SC/TA endorsement joins the ranks of other prominent groups which have endorsed Jennings, including the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, along with the AFL-CIO, the Human Rights Campaign, NOW, Planned Parenthood, Blue Dog Democrats Coalition, New Democrat Coalition, International Union of Police Associations, SEIU and EMILY’s List, among others. Jennings has also been selected by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red-to-Blue” program for highly competitive races.