NPEU Endorses Ed Lazere and Mysiki Valentine in DC General Election Races
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katie Barrows, NPEU, kbarrows@npeu.org, 360-624-6936
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2020 - The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) has issued endorsements ahead of the November 3rd general election for local races in the District of Columbia, endorsing Ed Lazere for at-large DC Council and Mysiki Valentine in the at-large race for the State Board of Education. NPEU previously endorsed Janeese Lewis George in the Ward 4 Democratic primary and the union continues to support her candidacy. These endorsements come after a vote by the membership of NPEU in which the candidates received overwhelming support.
NPEU’s executive board and membership know that these candidates are best suited to advance our shared vision of progressive, pro-worker policies as DC’s political leaders face the greatest challenges we have seen in more than a generation, including a global pandemic and an epidemic of racist police violence against Black Americans.
In the at-large council race, Ed Lazere is the policy leader that this moment demands. He brings decades of experience in budget analysis and advocacy and he has championed policies that have helped make DC a more equitable place to live, work, and raise a family. We look forward to continuing to put these policies into practice with Ed on the council. Our union is proud to support him alongside a wide range of community leaders and grassroots organizations, including the Metropolitan DC Labor Council, AFL-CIO, the DC chapter of the Sierra Club, United We Dream Action, and DC Attorney General Karl Racine.
Mysiki Valentine’s unique combination of classroom and advocacy experience combine to make him the leader that DC’s students and families need right now on the DC State Board of Education. His leadership is essential if DC is going to reverse the trend of disinvestment from public schools that serve communities of color and commit to building a system that equitably supports teachers and students alike. We are proud to join community and education leaders including the Washington Teachers Union in endorsing Mysiki.
“NPEU members are proud to endorse Ed and Mysiki! Working people need bold, progressive leaders on the DC Council,” said NPEU President Kayla Blado. “During the coronavirus pandemic and recovery, our neighbors are relying on policymakers to put their needs first. DC workers need an equitable community free of racism and police violence, and have the right to quality public schools, affordable housing, and good jobs.”
While the general election will take place on November 3rd, DC residents have the opportunity to start casting their ballots as early as this week as registered voters receive mail-in ballots. In-person early voting will also be available starting October 27.
About NPEU:
The Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) represents professionals employed at over 30 nonprofit organizations in the Washington, DC area and beyond. NPEU brings together hundreds of nonprofit workers to strengthen their workplaces and continue to do the important work that makes a difference in people’s lives.