AFT Committee on Political Education (AFT-COPE)
Public-sector teachers union
The operation.
AFT-COPE is the federal PAC of the American Federation of Teachers, the second-largest US teachers union with roughly 1.7 million members. It contributes almost exclusively to Democratic candidates and Democratic party committees, focusing on House and Senate races where public education funding, charter school policy, and union rights are at issue. AFT is led by President Randi Weingarten.
Major donors.
Notable races.
Sources.
Questions about AFT Committee on Political Education (AFT-COPE).
What is AFT-COPE?
AFT-COPE is the federal political action committee of the American Federation of Teachers, the public-sector union representing roughly 1.7 million US teachers, school staff, nurses, and public employees. It is funded by voluntary contributions from members and contributes to candidates supportive of public education and union rights.
Who does AFT-COPE support?
AFT-COPE contributes almost exclusively to Democratic federal candidates and to the DCCC, DSCC, and DNC. Its largest single-cycle spending was in 2024, where it supported the Biden / Harris ticket and Senate Democratic incumbents in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
How is AFT-COPE different from NEA-PAC?
AFT and NEA are the two largest US teachers unions; their PACs operate in parallel and frequently endorse the same candidates. NEA is larger (≈3 million members) and historically outspends AFT, but AFT-COPE is more concentrated in major-city public-school districts.