(CNN) Joe Biden picked up an endorsement from the American Federation of Teachers, the latest union group to support the former vice president in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The executive council of AFT, which represents 1.7 million members, voted Sunday to back him.

"Before the COVID-19 epidemic, the 2020 election was about the soul of our country. Now it's about our soul, our safety, our health, our security and our economic well-being. Joe Biden is the experienced and empathic leader our country needs right now," said AFT President Randi Weingarten.

Over the last year, AFT held a number of events and townhalls for its members to assess the presidential candidates, including Biden.

While the union as a whole held off on an official endorsement until now, it encouraged its affiliates and members in February to back Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , or Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren . Weingarten personally endorsed Warren days before she left the 2020 race.

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