John, today, I want to do something a bit different. I want you to truly understand why and how our team decides which candidates we endorse, and where we decide to allocate our resources.

Jane PAC’s strategy is straightforward: We use every tool available to us (in compliance with federal, state, and local campaign finance rules) to support climate champions in crucial races across the country where important climate policy hangs in the balance.

In addition to direct financial support and leveraging our platform to amplify their campaigns, we help recruit volunteers, provide advice on policy, communications, media relations, and other key campaign needs.

Instead of focusing on volume by endorsing as many candidates as possible, we decided to adopt a focused approach — endorsing fewer candidates in targeted races to maximize our impact in the races we do get involved in.

Additionally, you may have noticed that we focus a great deal of our energy on down-ballot races. While many political organizations invest in the high-profile federal races, the resources we bring to the table for state and local candidates go much further, and our influence on climate policy can be more immediate.

It’s not just about stretching our resources though. While the federal government can (and should) pass impactful climate legislation, state and local governments have significant power to implement policies that shape our everyday lives. These races might fly under the radar, but their influence on land use, public transportation adoption, and local sustainability policy is profound.

Take, for instance, the situation in Chicago with General Iron — a metal-shredding business that was moved from a predominantly white, affluent neighborhood to a primarily low-income community of color in Southeast Chicago after the local government caved to complaints from their wealthier constituents. This relocation not only spotlighted environmental racism but underscored the crucial role local elections play in environmental justice.

That dynamic totally shifted when Jane PAC helped elect Brandon Johnson as Chicago’s new mayor. Instead of perpetuating systems of injustice, Mayor Johnson not only kept up the fight against the General Iron relocation, he also initiated a groundbreaking lawsuit against major fossil fuel corporations for their decades of deception and damage they’ve wrought on vulnerable communities, and our planet.

And John, we’re ready to replicate that success during this year’s elections.

One of our major priorities this year is to challenge “Oily Democrats” in the California Legislature and ensure that seats where incumbents are termed out are filled with climate champions, not fossil fuel company allies. We are focusing on several legislative seats essential to this fight. You can learn more about each of them and lend your support to their campaigns here!

But we’re not just focusing on California. We are identifying key battles nationwide, supporting climate champions in states where the balance of the legislature is particularly vulnerable.

We even seek candidates for little-talked-about offices like comptroller and county supervisor, where the outcome can significantly affect our climate fight.

In 2023 alone, our efforts led to significant victories across the country, from helping Democrats secure majorities in both chambers in Virginia’s state legislature to pivotal local elections in Denver, San Antonio, and Pittsburgh.

This year, we’re focused on races like the Salt River Project in Arizona, where we helped elect three climate champions to the SRP Board, and the upcoming election for Port of Brownsville commissioners, where we’re contributing thousands of dollars to protect South Texans from dangerous fossil fuel infrastructure expansion. Moreover, we’ve endorsed over a dozen climate champions in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Arizona (with more to come).

I’m committed to these fights because I know how much they matter. I’ll continue to keep you updated on Jane PAC’s efforts and how you can get involved this year, so stay tuned.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Now, let’s fight like hell!

-Jane Fonda