Amie Baca-Oehlert, former president of the Colorado Education Association (CEA) and candidate for Congress in Colorado's 8th District, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss her transition from education to politics, the challenges facing workers and her vision for change.
Baca-Oehlert's journey from teacher to union leader to U.S. Congressional candidate is rooted in her commitment to education and workers' rights. As the first Latina president of the Colorado Education Association, she navigated complex challenges including the Red for Ed movement, teacher strikes and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her experiences highlighted what she saw as a need for stronger representation of working-class voices in Congress, prompting her decision to run for office. Baca-Oehlert emphasized the importance of having more teachers, Latinas, moms and union members in positions of power to address the needs of everyday Americans.
The conversation touched on the critical issue of immigration reform and its impact on communities and schools. Baca-Oehlert shared her personal experiences working with undocumented students and witnessing the fear and uncertainty faced by immigrant families. She stressed the need for comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship and protects the rights of immigrant workers and their families. Her perspective as an educator and union leader offers a unique approach to addressing these complex issues in Congress.
Baca-Oehlert discussed the challenges of running for Congress in a competitive district, emphasizing her grassroots approach to fundraising and campaigning. She highlighted her recent endorsement from the National Education Association and her ongoing efforts to secure support from other labor organizations. Baca-Oehlert contrasted her background as a union leader and educator with her opponents' political backgrounds, arguing that her experience leading the largest union in Colorado has prepared her to represent working people in Congress.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about Baca-Oehlert's vision for worker-centered policies she wants to bring to Congress.