Top national officers re-elected, recommit to fighting for a better life for all

At the AFT's 2026 convention, delegates re-elected Randi Weingarten as president, Fedrick C. Ingram as secretary-treasurer and Evelyn DeJesus as executive vice president; they also elected 43 vice presidents to the union's executive council. Weingarten, Ingram and DeJesus were all humbled and deeply grateful for the delegates' support.

After the convention, DeJesus reflected on the amazing victories AFT affiliates have achieved over the past two years-and over the past several decades. Highlighting our "brothers and sisters all over the world" fighting for economic dignity, and those in Hungary fighting fascism, she recommitted to "fighting for freedom and justice, for democracy and for a better life for all."

Ingram looked ahead, remarking on the responsibility that our union's power gives us. Noting the constancy of change and our union's need to lead it, he said, "The AFT must always be willing to grow, to evolve and to change-not by abandoning who we are or what we've done, but by becoming everything this moment requires us to be." He's certain that our best days are ahead, especially because of our solidarity.

Weingarten-who has led the AFT for 18 years and been a driving force behind our organizing victories, enabling the AFT to become the fastest-growing union in the AFL-CIO and reach a historic 1.875 million members-said, "It is truly the honor of my life to lead this union." She said she has been inspired by the energy, dedication and enthusiasm delegates have shown and shared throughout this convention. Heartened by our union's accomplishments despite "constant attack by President Trump, his billionaire and trillionaire cronies, and the extremists on the Supreme Court and in the Congress," Weingarten turned to our next big fight-the midterm elections. "This election will decide whether we are a country governed by the people or ruled by the powerful. A country of opportunity or oligarchy. A country whose people live in freedom or in fear," she said, as she pledged to do all she can to get out the vote, protect the vote and win a better life for all.

[Melanie Boyer/Photo credit: Suzannah Hoover]