We wanted to highlight the work of some of our incredible Climate Champions in Congress!
We agree with climate scientists across the world that climate change represents an existential threat to humanity + the window to act is closing fast.
As the only national organization working to elect Democratic scientists + climate experts to office (at ALL levels of government!) we wanted to introduce you to FOUR of our Climate Champions, who are some of the only climate and environmental experts in Congress.
All four of these Climate Champions are running in highly competitive races that could decide control of Congress: Can you chip in as little as $4 so we can elect them + a historic wave of pro-climate Democrats to state and local office?
Sean Casten (IL-6) – Sean Casten is a biochemical engineer who has spent his career developing green and renewable energy as well as making it more affordable and market competitive with fossil fuels.
He defied the odds in 2018 when, as a first time candidate, he defeated a Republican in what many considered a Safe Republican seat that has backed Republicans since the Nixon Era.
He then went on to serve on the historic
Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and is one of only two climate experts in the entire Congress. Since being elected, Sean has introduced and co-sponsored legislation like the
Climate Action Now Act – which would create a plan for the United States to reach its emissions targets in the Paris Climate Agreement – and the
End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act – which would eliminate some of the hundreds of millions of tax breaks Big Oil & Gas giants abuse.
Eric Sorensen (IL-17) – Eric Sorensen is the first meteorologist in half a century to serve in Congress after he, as a first-time candidate, won a House seat that voted for Donald Trump last November. Most political experts expected Republicans to win this race, particularly because Eric was dramatically outspent by the GOP.
Eric made
the climate crisis a top issue during his campaign and is one of the top priorities he is addressing as a freshman member of Congress. Three of his major focuses are: improving protections for homes from climate related flooding, making farms more drought resistant to protect our nation’s food supply during severe weather events, and creating good-paying jobs with benefits in renewable, green, and clean energy.
The political arm of the House GOP has already labeled unseating Eric as one of their top political goals of the 2023-2024 cycle.
Melanie Stansbury (NM-1) – Melanie Stansbury became one of the few environmental experts in Congress after she won a landmark and historic special election in 2021 in the first major election of the midterm cycle (and previously flipped a Safe Republican seat in the New Mexico state legislature).
With a background in natural resources and environmental preservation, she was unanimously voted to serve as the
Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, which oversees billions in spending on climate and environmental programs.
Melanie is a co-sponsor of
The Green New Deal – the comprehensive package of climate bills that would revolutionize green energy, ensure the nation reaches emissions targets set in the Paris Climate Agreement, and protect public lands for generations to come.
Martin Heinrich (NM-SEN) – Martin Heinrich is a mechanical engineer who worked his way through college both cooking pizzas and working at a nuclear reactor to afford tuition. Few people in Congress have introduced more bills to defend public lands and protect the environment than Martin.
In the previous session of Congress, Martin introduced an astounding FORTY pieces of legislation to defend public lands and national parks.
He also authored a bill that would cause the United States to
reach net-zero agricultural emissions within 20 years and increase funding for the Rural Energy for America Program and USDA’s Regional Climate Hubs. Last November, New Mexico’s statewide contests were well within single digits and many expect it to be much more closer and competitive during a Presidential election year.
Melanie, Martin, and Sean were all instrumental in the passage of Joe Biden’s historic climate bill – the largest in U.S. history.
Control of the Senate could come down to a single seat and our ability to retake the House becomes nearly impossible if we lose climate champions like Sean, Eric, and Melanie in their competitive House races. So can we count on you to donate to keep four of our climate champions in office?
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