Teachers union launches five-figure ad buy to boost embattled Biden Labor nominee

Teachers union launches five-figure ad buy to boost embattled Biden Labor nominee
Samantha-Jo RothMay 26, 11:47 AM May 26, 11:47 AM
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The National Education Association is out with a five-figure digital ad buy across the country to push for Julie Su to be confirmed by the Senate to be labor secretary.
The ad will start running Friday on major social media platforms and through website banner ads. It is primarily focused on Alaska, Arizona, and West Virginia — in an attempt to put pressure on Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Joe Manchin (D-WV). The National Education Association has been working to build support for Su’s nomination since early this year and was the first union to urge Su’s nomination in a letter to President Joe Biden.
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“Educators know that Julie Su is the best choice for Secretary of Labor, having seen her in action as she partnered with Secretary Marty Walsh to deliver strong results for the American economy,” said Becky Pringle, the president of the National Education Association, in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. “That is why the 3-million-member strong National Education Association is encouraging U.S. Senate to confirm Julie Su as Labor Secretary.”
Su has faced an uphill confirmation battle. Biden announced Su as his pick to replace Walsh, former mayor of Boston, as labor secretary in February, saying she is a “tested and experienced leader” in a press statement.
The nomination appears to be in jeopardy after Manchin told the Biden administration he has deep reservations about her, according to sources with knowledge of the matter. Manchin’s opposition, combined with one other Democratic defection, could halt Su’s confirmation. She needs at least 50 votes in the Senate, in which Democrats have a slim 51-49 hold over Republicans.
It’s unclear where other Democratic centrists, such as Kelly or Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Angus King (I-ME), stand on Su’s nomination. Manchin, Sinema, King, Kelly, and Tester all supported her for the deputy post in 2021. If her nomination doesn’t move forward, it will represent the third failed Biden nomination this year, which can be traced back to a few Democrats who are facing tough reelection races in 2024.