Environment America announces federal candidate endorsements

For Immediate Release: October 16th, 2018
Contact: Will Eley, [email protected]
Office:  (202) 683-1250
Cell:  (334)462.0663

Environment America announced today that is is endorsing 41 congressional candidates for the 2018 elections. These 33 House candidates and 8 Senate candidates hail from a total of 16 states.

UPDATE: * As of Wednesday morning, November 7th, these candidates have claimed victory.

U.S. Senate

Sen. Jon Tester of Montana

Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida

Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas

Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington *

Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota *

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia *

Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania *

Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico *

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U.S. House Endorsees

Mayor Greg Stanton – AZ09 *

Rep. Jared Huffman – CA02 *

Katie Hill – CA25

Harley Rouda – CA48

Mike Levin – CA49

Clarke Tucker – AR02

Cindy Axne – IA03 *

Tom Malinowski – NJ07 *

Andy Kim – NJ03

Rep. Frank Pallone – NJ06 *

Dean Phillips – MN03 *

Diane Mitsch Bush – CO03

Kathleen Williams – MT-al

Dan McCready – NC09

Kathy Manning – NC13

Sean Casten – IL06 *

Lauren Underwood – IL14 *

Deb Haaland – NM01 *

Xochitl Torres Small – NM02

Elissa Slotkin – MI08 *

Haley Stevens – MI11 *

Scott Wallace – PA01

Rep. Brendan Boyle – PA02 *

Rep. Dwight Evans – PA03 *

Rep. Matt Cartwright – PA08 *

Rep. Earl Blumenauer – OR03 *

Judge Veronica Escobar – TX16 *

Sen. Sylvia Garcia – TX29 *

Joseph Kopser – TX21

Lizzie Pannill Fletcher – TX07 *

Elaine Luria – VA02 *

Rep. Derek Kilmer – WA06 *

Dr. Kim Schrier – WA08

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Ed Johnson, President of Environment America and Treasurer of the Environment America Action Fund, released the following statement on the endorsements:

Three hundred and sixty-four days a year, the people who run the government and corporations make most of the decisions that determine the health and quality of our environment and our lives. We organize, we petition, we lobby. But they decide. One day a year, in November, the people decide.   

This year, as in many recent elections, dozens of races are closely contested. In close races, every vote makes a difference. Therefore every voter contact makes a difference and every endorsement makes a difference. Environment America Action Fund,  is working to make a difference by endorsing 41 congressional candidates for the 2018 elections. These 33 House candidates and 8 Senate candidates hail from a total of 16 states.

We’ve chosen candidates and races that meet at least one of two criteria. First, is the candidate a true champion of the environment? Can we count on her or him to not only vote the right way, but lobby other members, lead the debate, and forge the agreements that produce results? Second, is the candidate’s opponent a proven adversary of environmental protections, based on her or his voting records and public statements?

Among the candidates meeting our criteria is Rep. Jared Huffman of Northern California. Jared has dedicated his career to climate action — first as an environmental attorney, then as a member of the California State Assembly, and now in Congress. He was an original co-sponsor of the 100% by ’50 Act, which promotes renewable energy. We trust that his vision and commitment will win over newcomers and incumbents alike in the 116th Congress. 

Environmental attorney Xochitl Torres Small, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, has also earned our endorsement. Xochitl’s expertise on water policy and public lands will be critical in the next Congress. Xochitl is running to represent  New Mexico’s 2nd congressional district, home to some of our nation’s most treasured public spaces, including White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns. Voters in southern New Mexico’s can help America chart a more forward-looking course on the environment by sending Xochitl to Washington, D.C.

Mike Levin, an attorney in Southern California, currently serves on the board of The Center for Sustainable Energy in San Diego. He is running in support of renewable energy expansion and to protect his neighbors in the coastal 49th congressional district from offshore drilling. We’re proud to endorse Mike Levin.

In Montana, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester has earned our endorsement not only because he is a solid environmental vote, but also because his opponent has earned the endorsement of Club for Growth, which advocates a laissez-faire approach to environmental protection.  

For too long, elected officials have treated the environment as a second-tier issue: one that attracts broad public support, but not an issue that drives voters to the polls and decides elections. This must change. We must more clearly define how the environment affects us all, win the country over to our solutions, and shift the way people view the relationship between the health of our planet and the quality of our lives. These four candidates, and the other 37 that Environment America Action Fund are supporting, get it.

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

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Paid for by Environment America Action Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.  
Contact us at: www.environmentamericaactionfund.org

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