The largest teachers union in Pennsylvania endorsed Brian Fitzpatrick in high-stakes Bucks County reelection bid

The largest union representing Pennsylvania teachers and school support staff, including most in Bucks County, has endorsed Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in his high-stakes reelection bid to represent the key swing district.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association, by way of its affiliate National Education Association, informed Fitzpatrick of the organizations’ endorsement in a letter Friday, telling the Bucks County lawmaker that “you have demonstrated a commitment to collaboration and problem solving, earning respect for constituents across the political spectrum.”

“We value the relationships you have built with the public school employees throughout the district and your efforts to support policies that strengthen public education and protect the rights of working people,” wrote Aaron F. Chapin, the president of PSEA, which is also the largest labor union in Pennsylvania.

Fitzpatrick, who is facing a challenge from Democratic County Commissioner Bob Harvie in the 1st Congressional District, is the only GOP candidate for federal office to be recommended by the NEA this year, according to its website.

The NEA and PSEA have endorsed Fitzpatrick before, but in a crucial election year, when party control of the U.S. House is on the line, the organizations are the latest labor unions to not leave Fitzpatrick’s side.

Harvie spent two decades as a social studies teacher and department chair at Bucks County Technical High School. He has received backing from the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, which is affiliated with union locals in higher education, the School District of Philadelphia, and Bucks County’s Neshaminy School District. He has also been endorsed by Transport Workers Union Local 234, representing SEPTA employees. His campaign is expecting additional support from labor in the coming months.

Fitzpatrick, in a statement, said that he is “deeply honored to earn the trust of the educators and school employees who serve our children and hold our communities together.”

“They see the challenges facing students before those challenges ever reach Washington,” he said. “They know what is working, what is failing, and what our schools need to give every child a real opportunity to succeed.”

The 1st Congressional District, which represents all of purple Bucks County and a sliver of Montgomery County, is one of four critical Pennsylvania swing districts that both parties are eyeing this year as they battle for control of the U.S. House.

PSEA represents nearly 95% of the local school district unions in the 1st Congressional District, amounting to 11,489 public school employees, retirees, and educator-hopefuls, Chapin said.

The endorsement comes after both Harvie and Fitzpatrick posted their most recent fundraising hauls.

Between April 30 and June 30, Fitzpatrick spent nearly $2 million and raised more than $1 million, bringing his total gathered to $6.7 million. Harvie spent $360,000 during that time and raised almost $552,300, pushing him just over $2 million raised for the entire span of his campaign.