The Clark County Education Association has thrown its support behind presidential candidate Bernie Sanders ahead of Nevada’s Democratic caucus in February.

The union, which represents licensed educators from the nation’s fifth-largest school district, announced its endorsement of Sanders on Tuesday morning. His selection stemmed from a recent straw poll taken of CCEA’s members who are registered Democrats. The poll found that Sanders was the members’ top choice among the 14 Democratic candidates at the time, officials said.

“The CCEA is proud to have endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders for President,” CCEA President Vikki Courtney said in a statement. “Senator Sanders has a stellar record of supporting educators. His position on public education issues is second to none. He has always been a

champion for educators and working class people. He has our support. He has spent time with our members and has made a firm commitment to advance public education in our country.” 

Union members met with several Democratic candidates in the run-up to the Feb. 22 caucus. CCEA’s executive director, John Vellardita, said union members plan to bolster support for Sanders in the coming weeks, although he did not divulge specific activities.

“I think people thought he was the most genuine and sincere,” Vellardita said, referring to the straw poll results.

The Las Vegas-based teacher union is’t the first to endorse the Vermont senator for president. Teachers in Los Angeles and Chicago have done the same.

Sanders released a statement thanking the union while vowing to give teachers a pay raise and reinvest in public education.

“We’re proud to have teachers as our top donors by occupation because they hold the key to a more prosperous future for younger generations,” Sanders wrote.