Received this e-mail today from the League of Conservation Voters:
Trump may have withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, but across the country, states are filling the leadership void that Trump has left. At least ten state governors have signed onto an alliance to move forward on the Paris accord goals.
And activists are fired up like never before — in five special elections in heavily conservative districts this year, Democratic candidates have outperformed the expected partisan lean of their district by an average of eight points.
The momentum is with us — and three state elections are kicking into gear now. We can expand the map of pro-environment governors and state legislatures this year with three key candidates.
These candidates need your help: To advance climate progress in the face of a hostile Trump administration, chip in today to Ralph Northam, Phil Murphy, and Manka Dhingra’s campaigns »
Electing two new pro-environment governors and flipping another state legislature are our best chances this year for climate action, and with Democrats outperforming expectations across the country, we know these candidates can win:
- Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam is running for governor in Virginia, where Governor Terry McAuliffe is term-limited against running for reelection. Northam is committed to combatting sea level rise, protecting the Chesapeake Bay, and boosting clean energy infrastructures in the state. His opponent, Ed Gillespie, supported Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris accord even as coastal communities in his state have become the most vulnerable on the East Coast to sea-level rise. Governor McAuliffe has signed onto the alliance in support of our Paris commitments — we cannot let Gillespie set Virginia back. Chip in to Northam’s campaign today.
- In New Jersey, Phil Murphy is running to replace Governor Chris Christie against Christie’s lieutenant governor, Kim Guadagno. Murphy has pledged his support for the Paris accord, stating “as governor I will see that we work in partnership with our fellow states for what’s right for our people and nation, regardless of what Donald Trump says.” The New Jersey election represents a chance to grow the states’ Paris alliance. That opportunity is too significant to pass up. Please, chip in to Murphy’s campaign.
- In Washington state, prosecutor Manka Dhingra is running in a special election for the open seat in the 45th legislative district. From her background in public health and education, Dhingra appreciates the value of environmental protections for our public health and our children. A win in this election would flip the State Senate to pro-environment, opening the door for legislative action. With progress stalled in the administration and in Congress, it’s more important now than ever before to start electing the next generation of state and local climate leaders, and a gift in a state election like this can go a long way. Pitch in to help Dhingra today.
Even in the face of denial from Trump and an anti-environment Congress, we’re determined to fight for our Paris commitments and move forward on climate. Recent polls show that 46% of Americans oppose withdrawing from the agreement, with only 29% supporting the withdrawal. With numbers like that — and the support of LCV members like you —these candidates can win.
Help us move forward: Donate to Northam, Murphy, and Dhingra today.
The future of our country’s environmental legacy, for now, is in the states. Let’s empower state leaders to fight climate change.
Thank you,
Vinnie Wishrad
Senior Vice President, Membership and Online Engagement
This message was sent to League of Conservation Voters members. Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters and League of Conservation Voters Action Fund. Not authorized by a candidate.
Click here to donate to these three Climate Hawks campaigns.