ALBANY, N.Y. Sept. 18, 2017 — New York State United Teachers
today announced the unanimous endorsement of Rick Gallant, a veteran public
school teacher and coach, in his bid for New York’s 23rd congressional seat.Gallant, whose endorsement was issued by NYSUT’s Board of
Directors, has worked in the Corning-Painted Post School District for 17
years. The Board’s decision to issue an
early endorsement in the 2018 race underscores NYSUT’s unequivocal support of
Gallant’s candidacy in next year’s Democratic primary and in the general election
against incumbent Republican Tom Reed. “This is a critical time for public education in both our
state and nation, and we need representatives who will stand up for students
and educators,” said NYSUT President Andrew Pallotta. “As a teacher, Rick Gallant has dedicated his
life to ensuring all students have the opportunity to succeed, and as a
unionist, he has fought relentlessly to improve the lives of working people.
NYSUT is extremely proud to endorse Rick Gallant's candidacy.” A past president of the Corning Teachers’ Association,
Gallant is an at-large NYSUT Board member. In that capacity, he represents 150
local unions — composed of teachers, teaching assistants, bus drivers,
monitors, custodians and clerical staff — across Western New York and the
Southern Tier. A former longtime assistant college basketball coach and
sports writer, Gallant also has held teaching and coaching positions in Idaho,
Washington, Ohio and Pennsylvania. He
and his wife Amy are the parents of two daughters. “I am very honored and humbled to receive NYSUT’s
endorsement,” Gallant said. “This will be a difficult race to win, but we have
seen what can be accomplished when we all work together toward a common goal.” NYSUT’s early endorsement of Gallant aims to jump-start his
campaign, as volunteers will be working phone banks, handing out literature and
going door-to-door on the candidate’s behalf from now up to next year’s general
election. “I believe each of us as citizens has a responsibility to
step up in some way," said Gallant. “And, in keeping with my coaching
philosophy, I believe that by working together, we have a real opportunity to
win.”
