John —

How a government treats its educators can tell you a lot about its values.

This Teacher Appreciation Week, it’s time to lay out the stakes in this election — and just how extreme MAGA Republicans are when it comes to educating our kids.

According to Mike Pompeo, the former Trump secretary of state and one-time presidential hopeful, “the most dangerous person in the world” isn’t an autocrat like Russia’s Vladimir Putin or China’s Xi Jinping — it’s American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten.

This absurd claim would be laughable if it didn’t come from such a high-ranking government official.

Suffice it to say, I don’t see teachers or the labor leaders fighting for better wages and benefits, and better learning environments for their students, as “dangerous.” They are essential.

From my very first days as an elected official, I’ve fought to put teachers first. As a California state senator in Sacramento, I helped pass legislation to secure cost-of-living increases for teacher pensions and updated textbooks in California’s K-12 public schools. In Congress, I helped deliver millions in grant funds for Early Head Start and youth development programs in our district.

But we can — and must — do more. From funding breakfast and lunch programs to provide every child with nutrition to lowering classroom sizes so each teacher can devote more attention to each student, the Senate has a leading role to play.

In the Senate, I’m going to do everything in my power to fight for teachers and the students they serve, from preschool to college. Add your name to my petition if you’re with me in the fight to support our educators and the students they serve.

I’m fortunate to have had so many amazing teachers in my life who inspired me to get into public service. Every child in our country deserves that enriching experience in the classroom.

Thanks for joining me in speaking up.

— Adam