This letter is to serve as an endorsement, an announcement and a plea.

After extensive scrutiny and comparisons of the candidates running for the Illinois Senate in the 43rd district, there is an obvious "good candidate" for public education and an obvious "bad candidate" for public education.

Senator AJ Wilhelmi, the incumbent, is an obvious choice over his opponent on literally all the issues that are near and dear to us. His record on public education is spotless. His opponent, sponsored by the Tea Party and bankrolled by the same, is proposing to gut public education as we know it. 

Simply stated, this candidate is wrong on every single issue that we use to determine endorsements.

We cannot let Senator Wilhelmi become victimized by the anti-incumbent fever being spread by those advocating an ultra conservative agenda. Those people would eliminate public education that is our livelihood.

Please spread the word that AJ Wilhelmi must be retained.

Remember, in spite of what some tea party members would like you to believe, their agenda is extremely detrimental to public education, your pension,and to public education workers.

We have an opportunity to retain perhaps the best senator in the entire Senate. Let's not lose him. Work for and be committed to the re-election of Senator AJ Wilhelmi.

Sincerely,

Richard Manley, President, AFT Local 604