Anthony McCabe            "Ant"            "Mister"

Anthony is a 38 year‑old educator, union representative, and natural problem‑solver who has spent the last decade serving the Rochester City School District. As a teacher and representative in one of RCSD’s largest schools, he has built a reputation for listening deeply, asking the right questions, and working collaboratively to solve real problems for students, families, and staff.

Anthony ("Ant") was born and raised in the Capital Region of New York and was shaped by strong working-class values. Raised by his mother with help by his grandmother - both proud CSEA union members - he learned early that hard work could truly lead to a stable and honest living. All of his grandparents were proud first‑ or second‑generation immigrants. His maternal great‑grandmother came to the United States from Italy and built a successful small business, showing him what was once possible with policies that benefited hard work and determination.

He earned a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from St. Michael's College in Burlington, Vermont and a Master's of Science in Secondary Education from the University at Albany. With a background rooted in the scientific method, Anthony approaches societal challenges the same way he approaches science education: observe honestly, ask questions fearlessly, research thoroughly, collaborate openly, test solutions, evaluate results, and always keep moving forward.

Anthony believes that too many of America's leaders intentionally avoid asking most basic questions - and that no real change will begin without the courage to ask them. For example:

• Why do we spend a trillion dollars per year on "defense" while tens of thousands of Americans die annually because they can't afford medical care? What are we "defending?"

• Why, when people are at their worst and most vulnerable moments, do we allow ourselves to be financially destroyed by the predatory health insurance industry?

• Why do we allow our representatives to take bribes to ensure they have the funding to stay in office?

• Why do we allow billion and trillion dollar corporations to pay people unlivable wages and then use our own tax dollars to make up the difference?

• Why is one person allowed to siphon so much money through an economic system to own more than the bottom half of the entire population of the United States?

• Why have we allowed taxes from the largest earners and most profitable businesses to be cut to historic lows and then blame our neighbors for historic debts and deficits?

• Why did we shift from decades of strong pension systems to risky 401k programs?

• Why do so many Americans spend half of our waking lives working to barely get by in the richest country in the history of the world?

• Why do we continue to cut music and art programs in school while expanding mass testing?

• Why has student debt gone from $0 to $1.7 trillion since 1980?

• Why have we bailed out banks, airlines, and PPP loans, but not those who carry student loans necessary to participate in the US economy?

• Why is 25% of the world's prison population in the United States?

• How much longer will we put up with our representatives doing the bare minimum while the majority of Americans struggle for a basic standard of living?

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Anthony is not interested a political label, but rather simply believes that all people deserve a fair, equal shot at a substantive and fulfilling life. He believes people deserve leaders who focus on the issues that matter to the community, not on left‑right divisions.

His guiding principle is simple: find what works for the greatest number of people through listening, discussion, and genuine engagement. At the heart of his work is a commitment to dignity and fairness, and the belief that these simple rights have been stolen over decades by greed and intentional public mismanagement. 

Today, Anthony proudly stands on the shoulders of those who came before him, and is driven by the fact that America is not living up to its promise of ensuring the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to all. He is supported by a broad and diverse coalition: teachers, administrators, union representatives, union leaders, elected officials, LGBTQ community members, friends, and family. They know him as someone who shows up, listens, and works tirelessly to make things better. 

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With your support, we can begin to ask the basic questions and start fighting for a standard of living that reflects the wealthiest country in the history of the world.