GothamSchools — daily independent reporting on NYC public schools

Making its second endorsement in a citywide race this week, the teachers union will endorse Bill de Blasio for public advocate at noon today.

Mark Green, the frontrunner in the race, is probably not scratching his head over this choice. In 2001, when Green ran for mayor, then-president of the UFT Randi Weingarten dismissed his education policy proposals and ended up endorsing one of his rivals in the Democratic primary, Alan Hevesi. (NY Mag called Weingarten and Green nemeses.) When Hevesi took last place, the union picked Fernando Ferrer in the runoff against Green, only backing Green when he ran against Michael Bloomberg.

In a statement released by the UFT, union president Michael Mulgrew heaped praise on de Blasio.

“Bill’s willingness to tackle tough issues and causes has been particularly impressive as has his desire to make building community partnerships a top priority. His work on behalf of educators, especially early childhood educators, and the students they serve, has been critical, as has his work to preserve safety net services that so many New Yorkers are depending on during these difficult economic times. To be an effective Public Advocate, one must not be afraid of speaking truth to power, and Bill always speaks the truth.”