The Aaron Gies for Congress campaign announced the endorsement of the New York State Union of Teachers (NYSUT), an AFL-CIO-affiliated union, representing educators and school-related professionals with nearly 700,000 members statewide.

NYSUT included Gies in its 2026 congressional primary endorsement recommendations, which will be shared with its national affiliates, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association.

“Who we elect right now will shape the future of our schools and communities,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “It’s critical that we send leaders to Washington who understand what’s at stake for public education and working families.”

NYSUT endorses candidates it believes will advocate for the resources, respect, and opportunities that educators and students deserve. The organization’s support includes grassroots engagement by its members across the state, such as phone banking, door-knocking, and voter outreach.

Gies, an educator, understands the need to strengthen public education and has centered his campaign on ensuring communities across NY-23 have access to the resources they need.

“I’m honored to earn the support of NYSUT,” said Gies. “As an educator, I’ve seen firsthand how much our schools are being asked to carry, often without the support they need. Strong public schools are essential for strong communities, and that means making sure our educators and students have the resources they need to succeed.”

The endorsement adds to the growing support for Gies’ campaign, which has focused on affordability, strengthening local communities, and policies that benefit the common good.