In March of 2020, the Green New Deal will face its next political test — the first round of 2020 Congressional primaries. This will be the first time since we launched the Green New Deal onto the national stage that voters will have the option to vote for federal candidates who are boldly backing a new governing agenda to stop climate change while creating good jobs and economic prosperity for all.
Scientists are telling us that 2020 is our last opportunity to elect climate leaders that can immediately enact bold, transformational change through the next decade. Meanwhile, establishment politicians of both parties are complacent. The candidates we’re endorsing today come from communities tired of political corruption and neglect, and are vigilantly attuned to the linked climate and economic crises we are facing as a nation. That's why they're taking on entrenched interests and joining our urgent call for a Green New Deal.
Mike Siegel, a civil rights lawyer and former public school teacher, narrowly lost to Republican Mike McCaul in 2018. Now, with the the backing of unions, environmentalists, and progressives across rural and urban communities, Mike is aiming to finish the job in 2020 with the momentum and inspiring vision of the Green New Deal at his back. But first, he needs our help to beat the other establishment Democrats in his March 3rd Primary.
A business leader and progressive advocate, Marie Newman is also running again, to take out one of the worst Democrats in Congress: Dan Lipinski. Lipinski voted for the Keystone XL Pipeline and has taken $37,000 in PAC money this year alone from Big Oil. It's no wonder he mimics oil industry talking points to bash the Green New Deal.
Morgan Harper, a 36 year-old consumer protection advocate, and Robert Emmons Jr., a 27 year-old community organizer and gun violence prevention leader, are millennials who came of age amidst the rise of the climate crisis, polarized racial tensions, and economic inequality. The two are running against establishment Democrats Joyce Beatty, 69 and Bobby Rush, 73 who both oppose the Green New Deal and have together received hundreds of thousands of dollars from utility and fossil fuel PACs, executives, and lobbyists. They have stood with rising youth movements and now, ours is standing with them.
These amazing candidates would bring the perspective and fresh energy that Congress needs to kick off the decade of the Green New Deal beside our movement. And their victories early on in 2020 would help show that the Green New Deal is the future of Democratic Party politics, and give us much needed momentum as we head towards the most critical general election of our lives. But, they are up against big-moneyed interests, and can't win without our help. Can you chip in to ensure we start 2020 strong with electoral victories for Green New Deal champions?
