Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign hit a high note at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Convention in Houston. Addressing a crowd of 3,500 delegates at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Harris received a rousing standing ovation, with many holding signs reading, “AFT votes Kamala Harris for president.”
Harris expressed profound gratitude to President Joe Biden, in her speech, who recently announced that he would not seek a second term.
“Over the past three and a half years and his entire career, Joe has led with grace, strength, bold vision and deep compassion,” Harris said. She acknowledged his continued service and commitment to the American people.
Harris contrasted her record with the record of former President Trump, particularly criticizing the Project 2025 initiative. She emphasized that this plan, if enacted, would drastically reshape the federal government, giving the executive branch unprecedented powers.
“We are not going back,” Harris said, focusing on the union’s crucial role in building America’s middle class and advocating for workers’ rights.
“We will move forward,” Harris vowed, highlighting her administration’s achievements in student loan debt forgiveness and her vision for an America where everyone prospers. She outlined the need for affordable healthcare, childcare with paid leave, and continued student loan debt reductions.
Harris reiterated her policy goals, including passing the Protecting the Right to Organize Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and restoring reproductive and LGBT+ rights.
Throughout her speech, Harris criticized Trump’s policies, especially his intention to end the Affordable Care Act and offer tax breaks to big corporations. She pointed out the dangers of Project 2025, quipping to AFT President Randi Weingarten, “Randi, can you believe they put this thing in writing? Nine hundred pages in writing!”
The Defender Network spoke to several attendees about Harris’s address. Many were initially unsure about Harris but left convinced she was the right choice for president. They are hoping that the next administration focuses on better teacher pay, resources, gun safety, and opposition to book bans.
, is very concerned about Houston’s public school education system, especially with the state takeover at HISD.
“We in Houston have seen almost a demolition of our HISD because of the desires of our ultra-conservative leadership that have put into place a group of those who govern our system who do not have the heart of our students and the welfare of our community as its top priority,” she said. “I’m concerned about what would be the state of education, the Department of Education, and from the federal perspective [to have] support to make sure that every child has all the resources they need to be able to thrive.”
Candice Houston, president of the Aldine Federation of Teachers, agreed.
“We have too many politicians who aren’t really for the voices of the people,” added Houston. “Like she said, we are fighting for the future. That is why [VP Kamala Harris] has my support. We are really losing teachers to other professions… not another district.”
“She looks like the people. She speaks like the people. We need someone who understands that freedom is at stake,” said Sheleah Reed, an administrator at Aldine ISD. “Black women have saved the world forever. We’ve carried the earth, and I think we’re going to keep doing it.”
Lois Lofton-Doniver, who flew in from Chicago and has been an educator for over 40 years, hopes the administration will push for more “equity in education” to help children achieve their maximum potential. She highlighted the struggle of teachers who often pay out of their pockets due to a lack of resources and funding in schools.
The 1.8 million-member AFT has supported Harris and her pro-union platform, arguing that a second term of Donald Trump may lead to limits on organized labor and possibly even a loss of financing for education.
