AFT’s Weingarten Reacts to Results of Midterm Elections

WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement on the results of the 2026 midterms:

“Tonight, the American people unequivocally rejected the corruption, cruelty, chaos and cost-of-living crisis of the Trump era. They said no to the hate, derogation and rot to which we have descended, and yes to candidates who care about others, who want to create dignity and opportunity, and who champion public education, healthcare and a pathway to the American Dream.

“In race after race, those who supported public schools and rejected private school vouchers triumphed—statewide in Texas, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio, and in countless congressional districts and school board races.

“For months, the 1.875 million members of the AFT rallied and organized with the labor movement and our allies to vote, get out the vote and protect the vote, and tonight’s results proved we made a difference. The union vote was a record 15 percent share of the overall electorate, and union voters backed endorsed candidates by +20 points. This result was simply too big to rig.

“While we may have turned the page on a dark chapter of our national story, the future remains unwritten. The next Congress must act not only to fix the damage Donald Trump and his cronies have wrought, but to build a better life for everyday Americans. That means strengthening public education and higher education, increasing wages, making healthcare affordable and accessible, and rebuilding our democracy. And after the sea change at the state level, there must also be progress in the priorities of governors and representatives.

“We will act on these priorities starting tomorrow. And tonight we will celebrate and reflect on our journey as a nation, how we rejected hate and authoritarianism, and how we can reclaim our freedoms for good.”