LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The American Federation of Teachers’ Michigan chapter sent out an email that left little doubt what political party they favor – the Democrats.

In an email sent out last week, AFT-Michigan promoted the upcoming Michigan Democratic Party Spring Convention on Feb. 22.

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“Join the Party and Make Your Voice Heard at MDP Convention Feb.22,” the email stated. “You have the opportunity to make your voice heard at the Michigan Democratic Party Spring Convention to choose who will lead our state party forward, both at the state and local levels. In order to vote you must be a member of the party by January 23, 2024. Here is the link to become a party member for as little as $10 a year. This is your opportunity to meet with fellow Democrats and prepare for the fight ahead so we can elect Democrats up and down the ballot in 2026!”

AFT-Michigan reported having 16,628 members in 2024. A 2017 national survey of teachers’ political affiliations done by the Education Week Research Center showed that 41% of respondents described themselves as Democrats, 30% said they were independents and 27% said they were Republicans.

If those numbers hold true, that would mean AFT-Michigan represents thousands of members who are Republicans.

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that unions could no longer force members to pay “agency fees” as a condition of employment because it violated the First Amendment. The Supreme Court rule that the agency fees – which were calculated costs of pure representation to the union without lobbying – still made members fund political speech they may disagree with.