UFT announces decision to not endorse candidates in the NYC Democratic mayoral primary.

The United Federation of Teachers (UFT), one of New York City’s most influential teachers’ unions, announced on Friday that it will not endorse a candidate in the upcoming Democratic mayoral primary. This decision highlights the internal divisions within the union, reflecting a lack of clear consensus among its members about the preferred candidate for this election cycle.

Historically, the UFT’s endorsement has been regarded as a significant political asset with the power to sway election outcomes. However, this year, indicators emerged early that the union was struggling to rally behind a single candidate. During a recent delegate assembly, which took place before the onset of early voting, no resolution was reached, underscoring the difficulties the UFT faced in unifying its membership.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew expressed his disappointment over the inability to endorse, stating that the process, which involved extensive polling and surveying of union members, did not yield the consensus that is typically required for such a decision. He described the situation as both frustrating and troubling but concluded that withholding an endorsement is preferable to potentially alienating or dividing members within the organization. The last time the UFT refrained from making an endorsement was in 2009.

In previous elections, the UFT has backed candidates who prioritized education issues, most notably former comptroller Scott Stringer during his last mayoral run in 2021. While Mulgrew indicated that many within the union still viewed Stringer favorably regarding educational policies, other pressing concerns appeared to take precedence this election cycle. Issues such as the city’s affordability and broader political matters, including opposition to the Trump administration, emerged as key factors influencing the union’s decision-making process. Consequently, there was a discernible divide among members concerning these priorities.

Andrew Cuomo, a leading candidate in the race, had actively sought the UFT’s endorsement, despite a contentious history with the union characterized by disagreements over pension plans and the operation of charter schools. At a UFT-sponsored mayoral forum, Cuomo committed to reversing the Tier 6 pension plan implemented during his governorship and advocated for the hiring of more paraprofessionals, a position aligned with UFT objectives. Nevertheless, his past relationship with the union, along with Zohran Mamdani’s stances, particularly regarding Palestine, complicated the endorsement landscape. Mulgrew clarified that he did not consider endorsing multiple candidates, which further solidified the union’s decision to remain neutral.

This non-endorsement concludes an eventful endorsement process for the UFT, especially after it previously modified its requirements for candidate vetting in response to external pressures from the Adams administration. As the primary approaches, the implications of the UFT’s decision will undoubtedly be closely monitored, both within the educational community and the broader political landscape of New York City.

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