With six states not yet called and millions of votes still being counted (#CountEveryVote), there is uncertainty about the future of our government and what it means for climate change and other public health and environmental priorities.

But let’s take a moment to celebrate a few really uplifting victories.

First, let’s celebrate the inspiring and record-shattering turnout across the country. The fact that Americans overcame unprecedented challenges — COVID concerns, long voting lines, many first-time absentee voters — and drove up tallies across all 50 states is heartwarming.


I’d also like to celebrate you and this amazing EDF community of more than 2.5 million members and activists who volunteered time, supported voter registration and turnout, and donated money to help fund our largest-ever grassroots mobilization efforts. You made a difference, and we are so grateful.

We can also celebrate the environmental and climate-action champions who have won their races and who will be going to Congress to support progress on our priority issues. There are too many to list them all, but here are a few of the most notable ones:
 


 

  • Senator Gary Peters, reelected to a second term in Michigan. He has been a strong champion of the Great Lakes and for a clean energy agenda.
     

  • Governor and now Senator-elect John Hickenlooper won his Senate race in Colorado, having run on building bipartisan support for climate action, growing the clean energy economy and protecting public lands.
     

  • Senator-elect Mark Kelly in Arizona, who ran on a clean air and clean energy agenda and to expand investments in solar energy.
     

  • Representative Stephanie Murphy, who won reelection in central Florida’s 7th congressional district as  a strong advocate for clean water and green energy innovation to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and make energy more affordable.
     

  • Representative Sean Casten, an Illinoisan clean energy advocate and first-term congressman from the Chicago suburbs who won reelection as a leader on climate action in the House.
     

  • Representative Cindy Axne, who was reelected to the 3rd congressional district in western Iowa as a champion of building her state’s leadership in renewable energy and tackling climate change.

 


These six are among scores of candidates who won close elections running on environmental progress and climate action. With your continued support, we look forward to working with the incoming congressional class to forge bipartisan, pragmatic solutions to promote cleaner air, healthier communities and a safer climate future.

Thanks so much for all you do to support our work. Together, we are making an important difference.

Best wishes,

Sam Parry
Director of Membership

P.S. I realize the events are unfolding rapidly and there is a lot of confusion and misinformation out there. If you’re looking for a way to keep yourself informed and to help challenge false claims, you can join our Misinformation Brigade — a community of concerned Americans helping to cut through the clutter and conspiracies.