Congressman Andy Kim Receives Endorsement From Rutgers AAUP-AFT Executive Council and PTLFC-AAUP-AFT in Race for U.S. Senate

MOORESTOWN N.J. – Today, Congressman Andy Kim announced the endorsements of Rutgers University’s American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers Executive Council (Rutgers AAUP-AFT) and the Part-Time Lecturer Faculty Chapter, American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers (PTLFC-AAUP-AFT) in his bid for U.S. Senate. Together, they represent thousands of full-time and adjunct faculty, graduate workers, postdoctoral associates, and Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) counselors at the state university’s three main campuses and beyond.

“In Congress, I’ve worked to reduce the burden AAUP-AFT and PTLFC-AAUP-AFT members face by voting to pass legislation to lower student debt, expand Pell grant opportunities and improve access to higher education, but I know more work must be done at the federal level to help these members and their students,” said Congressman Andy Kim. “I am encouraged by the work AAUP-AFT and PTLFC-AAUP-AFT have done, and look forward to furthering our partnership so that Rutgers educators have the resources needed to continue offering the top-quality education.”

“As a labor union whose members prioritize reproductive rights, the rights of minoritized groups, the principles of academic freedom and public education, and the need for sweeping action on the climate crisis, the choice in this election could not be more clear,” said Matthew Buckley, Legislative Committee Chair, Rutgers AAUP-AFT. “In this time of rising authoritarianism at home and abroad, his commitment to democratic ideals is necessary and worthy of our support as a union. He understands the current threats to reproductive rights, LGBQTIA+ rights, climate change, and academic freedom and is committed to protecting these essential principles. The Executive Council of the Rutgers AAUP-AFT union endorses Andy Kim for the New Jersey Senate seat. We look forward to supporting his candidacy and working with him as he ably represents the people of New Jersey in the US Senate.”

“Our union, representing over 2,700 adjunct faculty members on all three Rutgers campuses, has for the first time ever endorsed candidates running in the 2024 elections,” said Tom Raggio, Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee of the PTLFC-AAUP-AFT. “We understand that the stakes in this election could not be higher—for workers and the freedom to organize, and for democracy itself. We proudly endorse Andy Kim for US Senate. Representative Kim has been an exemplary public servant. He has a strong record of fighting corruption and working to make our state more democratic. We are confident that his strong pro-labor record and support for public higher education will serve the people of the state of NJ well.”

In the House of Representatives, Andy supported the Biden administration’s policies that led to the cancellation of $116 billion in student debt, and co-sponsored the codification of the SAVE Plan Act, to relieve debt even further. He also co-sponsored legislation to increase Pell grants and has a dedicated ‘Grants Director’ in his congressional office, and supported the Jayapal-Sanders College For All Act to make access to higher education more affordable.

As a son of immigrants and a graduate from New Jersey public schools, Congressman Andy Kim has been proud to represent his home community in Congress. Andy is a young father of two little boys and represents a new generation of leadership stepping up to fix our broken politics. As a former national security official, Andy previously advised President Obama on counterterrorism and worked for four-star generals in Afghanistan.

Andy went on to win a congressional district that Trump won twice by defeating three consecutive self-funding republican millionaires. In his three terms in Congress, Andy has worked hard to lower costs for New Jersey families, help support small businesses through challenging times, and has battled House Republicans in the fight to restore protections for women in the aftermath of the 2022 Dobbs decision. Andy is now stepping up to run for senate to fight against corruption and restore integrity to public service.

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