State Rep. Vivian Flowers has received the support of the Pine Bluff Education Association in her bid to become its next mayor, according to information from the Pine Bluff Education Association.
PBEA is the professional organization for teachers, education and support professionals in the Pine Bluff School District, according to the group's social media pages.
“Education is critical to the advancement of people and cities,” the association's letter said. “At a time when public education in America and our state appears to be under attack from certain politicians, we need local, state and federal leadership that shares the same values as our unions. I believe that is important.”
The letter went on to say that the association believes that public education is “the foundation of our republic” and that individuals “are made stronger by working for the common good.”
“While serving in public office, you have demonstrated that you share the same values,” the letter said. “We, the members of the Pine Bluff Education Association, fully support Congresswoman Vivian Flowers for the mayorship of the City of Pine Bluff.”
Flowers is seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Shirley Washington.
Early voting ends Monday and voting day is Tuesday.