Environment America elevates its Congressional endorsements with 27 days left

For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 8, 2020

Contact: Will Eley, Deputy Political Director, [email protected], (334) 462-0663;
Mark Morgenstein, Director of Media Relations, [email protected], (678) 427-1671

WASHINGTON — Environment America announced its full slate of 40 Congressional endorsements on Thursday, as we enter the final month leading up to Election Day. Environment America and its 29 state-based affiliates recognize the gravity of the 2020 election and will be making sure that its members and supporters turn out in support of these candidates.

“To ensure that they remain vibrant, both our democracy and the Earth need us to turn out in record numbers this year. Now more than ever, pro-environment candidates need our support,” said Wendy Wendlandt, Environment America’s acting president. “We are excited to promote this select group of candidates, all of whom have earned our green champion label.”

Environment America has chosen these candidates in response to this two-part question:
Are the candidates true champions of the environment; and
Can we count on them to not only vote the right way, but lobby other members of Congress, lead the debate, and forge the agreements that produce results?

“Environmental and climate action are no longer second-tier issues. Given all the environmental policy rollbacks of the past four years, and the increasing severity of phenomena from wildfires to hurricanes, voters across the country are demanding courage and expertise in the face of the climate crisis,” said Wendlandt. “We know we can put our trust in this slate of candidates to rise to the occasion in this exceptional moment.” 

Among the candidates meeting our criteria are notable environmental leaders including Rep. Huffman and Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee Rep. Grijalva, both of whom have dedicated their political careers to climate action and defending our public lands.

We’re also promoting first-term Reps. such as Torres Small and Kim, who both came to Congress after historic upset victories in 2018 and found ways to be environmental leaders in places such as the Armed Services Committee, a forum not typically associated with environmental legislation. That said, they have since led the way by championing legislation that will better protect our servicemembers and their communities from the dangers of PFAS water pollution.

Finally, we’re endorsing national newcomers such as Professor Nancy Goroff, who is vying for a seat in Congress and locked in a very competitive race in New York’s First District. As a scientist and environmental leader, she is someone we can trust to follow the facts towards a sustainable present and future. Her future constituents along Long Island are on the front lines of sea-level rise, and Professor Goroff knows we don’t have time to waste.

Just this past August, Environment America announced its endorsement of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for President and Vice President.

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Environment America is a national network with affiliates in 29 states. Our staff and members work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. Environment America is part of The Public Interest Network–www.environmentamerica.org