Colorado’s largest teachers union sent its 35,000 members a false attack on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Johnston.

Johnston did not receive $2 million from a group advocating for the reform of the teachers’ pension fund, PERA. In fact, when challenged, the Colorado Education Association admitted the group did not give Johnston a dime. The CEA was unable to explain why the fabricated claim was made.

The false claim is included in a newsletter the CEA sent to its more than 35,000 members across Colorado. The union is a vocal backer of Johnston’s rival in the Democratic primary, Cary Kennedy.

The newsletter asserts, “Secure Futures, who fought against CEA in PERA reform, gave more than $2 million to Johnston’s campaign.” That is not true.

Secure Futures co-director Eric Sonderman called the claim “lunacy” in a letter to the CEA demanding a retraction. Sonderman noted that Secure Futures had not made an endorsement or donation in the race.

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