American Federation of Teachers Endorses Democratic Congressional Candidate Kelly Westlund
ASHLAND, WI - American Federation of Teachers (AFT) officially announced their endorsement of Democratic Congressional candidate Kelly Westlund. Westlund is challenging Rep. Sean Duffy in the Wisconsin 7th Congressional District.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of AFT,” said Westlund. “I'm proud to stand with our educators, public employees, and health care professionals in the fight for a better future for our children and communities.”
“AFT-Wisconsin proudly supports Kelly Westlund,” said AFT-Wisconsin President Kim Kohlhaas. “She listens and advocates for issues we value in Wisconsin, such as living wage, quality educational opportunities and community services. Kelly stand with families in Wisconsin and will fight to build a structure for opportunities for all.”
Kelly believes that access to quality, affordable education is a right to which everyone is entitled, regardless of their circumstances. Education is the great equalizer, and we all benefit from an educated citizenry whose members have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Westlund has been an outspoken advocate for increasing the minimum wage and for expanding opportunity so that anyone can succeed based on talent and merit, not their family net worth or their ability to exploit tax loopholes.
Sean Duffy voted in favor of the 2015 Ryan Budget, which would cut $18 billion in early education programs, $89 billion in K-12 programs, and $205 billion in higher education initiatives over the next decade. Duffy refuses to support raising the minimum wage to a living wage for working people, and then he complains that he struggles to get by on his salary of $174,000 a year.
Westlund served on the Ashland City Council from 2011-2014. She is a small business owner, operating a consulting firm that partners with local farms, small businesses, local governments, and civic organizations to work on economic and community development projects. Westlund previously served as executive director for the Alliance for Sustainability and was an adjunct professor of sustainable community development at her alma mater, Northland College.
She is a graduate of Leadership Wisconsin, a statewide leadership development program, and Emerge Wisconsin, an organization that trains Democratic women to run for public office in Wisconsin. Westlund grew up in a military family. She moved to Ashland 13 years ago and lives with her husband Caleb.
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and why would they? 