General Assembly 2006
MSTA’s Endorsement Process
MSTA has a very fair, open and thorough screening process for recommending candidates to its members and the general public:
- All candidates for office receive an invitation to participate in the process.
- Candidates must complete a questionnaire and participate in an interview. Statewide candidates interview with the MSTA president, and this information is distributed to our local presidents, who share it with their local Boards and representative assemblies. Local candidates interview with their local association.
- Candidates interested in receiving our endorsement often contact MSTA and local presidents directly to discuss their education platforms; they also attend local association representative assemblies, where they can meet with members.
- For statewide candidates, the MSTA Endorsement Council—consisting of the MSTA Board of Directors, local presidents, chairs of the MSTA Legislative and Fund committees, and an additional representative from each local association—gathers to deliberate and make recommendations that go to the MSTA Spring Representative Assembly (RA).
- The RA, after hearing a brief live address from each candidate, votes on endorsements by secret written ballot. Candidates must receive at least 58% of the support from the RA in order to receive the MSTA endorsement.
- Local associations forward their recommendations on local candidates to the MSTA Fund for Children and Public Education. After debate and discussion, the Fund recommends candidates to the MSTA Board of Directors for final approval.
- Federal candidate endorsements must also be approved by the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education.
