ROYAL OAK — The American Federation of Teachers Michigan (AFT Michigan) today endorsed State Senate candidate Aaron Bailey  in the 13th District State Senate election.

“Aaron Bailey understands that we can’t rebuild Michigan’s economy unless the state invests in education and job training, and that’s why AFT Michigan fully supports his candidacy for the State Senate,” said AFT Michigan President David Hecker. “As State Senator, Aaron Bailey will fight to stop the drastic cuts in education and instead invest in Michigan’s future.”

AFT Michigan’s 35,000 members include teachers, support staff, and faculty members at K-12 schools, community colleges and universities.

“Study after study shows that businesses looking to locate to Michigan demand an educated and trained workforce,” Bailey said. “If the State Senate continues to put education on the back burner, there will be no one to fill those jobs. As a State Senator, I will make sure politicians in Lansing get their own house in order instead of balancing their budget on the backs of our children and mortgaging away Michigan’s future.”

Bailey is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and served as an Airborne-Ranger qualified Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army. Bailey was recalled to active duty in 2007, and served with a Special Operations Task Force in Afghanistan.

In addition to his military experience, Bailey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering and a Master of Business Administration with Distinction from the University of Michigan. Prior to launching his Senate campaign, Bailey served as a business strategist in the Detroit office of McKinsey & Company, which specializes in helping businesses, government organizations and nonprofit groups succeed in the rapidly changing economic environment.