AUGUSTA – An umbrella organization for unions representing 25,000 teachers in Maine is throwing its support behind Democrat Chellie Pingree in the 1st Congressional District race.

The Maine Education Association announced Friday its decision to back the former Maine state senator and national director of Common Cause. She’s running against Republican Charlie Summers for the seat that is being vacated by Rep. Tom Allen.

MEA President Chris Galway says Pingree has a history of supporting issues important to teachers, including increased funding for public education and better retirement benefits for educators.