AUGUSTA, MAINE— The Maine Education Association (MEA), Maine’s largest labor union, today announced that its members have endorsed Hannah Pingree for Governor. The endorsement follows a rigorous, member-driven process involving educators and school employees from every region of the state, who selected Pingree as the candidate they believe will be a strong advocate for Maine’s students, public schools, and working people.
Throughout her service in the Maine House of Representatives, including as Speaker of the House, Pingree earned a 100% pro-education voting record and championed policies that strengthened Maine’s public schools. In her House leadership roles, Pingree brought educators, administrators, and community leaders together to tackle complex challenges, finding practical solutions that protected rural schools while addressing fiscal realities.
“Hannah demonstrated a deep commitment to public education and to listening to educators from pre-K through higher education,” said MEA President Jesse Hargrove. “As governor, she has committed to addressing the educator workforce shortage, expanding access to early childhood education, and maintaining a fully funded public education system.”
“As a lifelong Mainer who attended a small, rural public school grades K – 12, I have a deep belief in public education and profound respect for educators. I’ve chaired my local school board and I’ve seen the positive impact public schools have had on my two teenage kids,” said Hannah Pingree. “As a legislator and Speaker of the House, I was proud to earn a 100% score from the Maine Education Association. Today I’m even prouder to have earned their endorsement for Governor.”
MEA invited all three gubernatorial candidates to participate in its member-led endorsement process, which concluded with interviews conducted by educators and school employees from across Maine. After evaluating each candidate’s vision and priorities, MEA members voted to endorse Hannah Pingree for Governor.
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The Maine Education Association is the largest professional association and union in the state of Maine representing more than 24,000 teachers, support staff, higher education faculty and staff, pre-service teachers and retired educators. The MEA is an organization for educators, run by educators and is here to support and strengthen educators in their career. When educators are in a strong position, our kids thrive. At MEA, we work hard so educators can focus on inspiring the passion for knowledge in the minds of Maine’s students. To learn more about the MEA, visit the MEA About page.
