A discussion between commentator Riley Lewis and education policy analyst Corey A. DeAngelis focused on the political role of major teachers’ unions, with DeAngelis outlining what he described as direct institutional ties between union leadership and the Democratic Party.

The exchange centered on the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, two of the largest teachers’ unions in the United States, and their involvement in Democratic Party fundraising and internal leadership structures.

Lewis opened the conversation by characterizing the unions’ political role, saying, “So these unions are basically just fundraising machines for the Democratic Party.”

DeAngelis responded by arguing that the relationship extends beyond campaign donations and political spending.

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He said the unions’ leadership has held formal positions within the Democratic Party for decades, a fact he said was not widely known until recently.

“It’s even worse than that. Riley, I mean, we just found out this year that Randy Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, which actually lobbied the CDC to close schools during covid as long as possible. We found out that she had an at large position at the Democrat National Committee there for about 30 years, and we’re like, who knew?” DeAngelis said.

According to DeAngelis, Weingarten’s long-standing role within the Democratic National Committee only became public when she stepped down from the position.

He said the revelation surprised even those who closely follow national politics.

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“I didn’t know about this, and I’m pretty well in tune with what’s going on in DC politics, but a lot of my friends were also like, Yeah, we were totally surprised as well,” DeAngelis said.

He added that Weingarten’s resignation prompted further research into the political involvement of other teachers’ union leaders, leading to additional findings about the National Education Association.

“But she stepped down, and that’s the only time we actually found out about it, and that got me into digging. And we also found out that there’s other teachers union bosses like Becky Pringle, the head of the NEA. She’s still an at large member of the DNC,” DeAngelis said.

DeAngelis said the continued presence of union leaders in Democratic Party leadership positions demonstrates a level of influence that goes beyond traditional advocacy or fundraising.

“So they’re not just a fundraising operation for the Democrats. They have a seat at the table,” he said.

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