Politics & Government

UFT to Thompson: ‘You’re Our Guy!’ (We Think…)

Some sources say Bill de Blasio still has a shot

This article was written by C. Zawadi Morris.

The United Federation of Teachers is expected to endorse Bill Thompson for mayor today, although some sources say Bill de Blasio still has a shot, the New York Post reported. 


The powerful teachers union will hold its endorsement meeting this afternoon. And although union sources say it plans to spare no expense at trying to get Thompson elected, members are still indicating a possible move toward de Blasio.

A Bloomberg aide said the only reason the union is considering Thompson is because it wants to be able to run the school system again as it was able to do when Thompson was president of the old Board of Education.

“The result: mismanagement, corruption and violence in the classroom,” Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson told The Post. “The question is: Why would New Yorkers want that?”

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John Collins, a spokesman for Thompson, fired back and pointed to news of the recent decline in graduation rates and the huge achievement gap under the current mayor’s policies.

“Both demonstrate [that] the mayor’s strategy of pitting people against each other hasn’t worked for students,” said Collins. “Thompson will work with teachers, principals and parents with one goal in mind — preparing our students for success in college and careers.”

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