San Francisco, California – As leaders from around the country and the world gather in San Francisco this week for the Global Climate Action Summit, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund and LCV state affiliates are celebrating the 2018 candidates who are making a historic commitment to a clean energy future. As part of a nationwide effort, the Conservation Voter Movement (LCV and its affiliates) announced that over 1,400 candidates running for every level of government office this November have committed to the “Clean Energy for All” goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050 in their state.

The leaders making the commitment include clean energy champions like gubernatorial candidates JB Pritzker in Illinois, Tony Evers in Wisconsin, Jared Polis in Colorado, and Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan, state legislative candidates from Idaho to North Carolina, and more. On a telepress conference with three candidates in different states running for different offices, the groups announced the number of candidates and released a report highlighting committed candidates across the country to show the breadth and scope of this political shift toward clean energy.

“We are delighted that more than 1,400 candidates have already signed on after our state affiliates approached them. This is an unprecedented level of commitment to clean energy,” said Gene Karpinski, President of LCV Action Fund. “In the absence of leadership from Washington, D.C. to address climate change, state and local leaders are listening to the majority of people across the country who want climate action and pollution-free communities. The candidates who are making this commitment are showing they are ready to step up.”

“We must invest in renewable energy here in Wisconsin — it’s the fastest-growing sector of the economy. Investment in clean energy and green infrastructure and green jobs is the most proactive and effective way to combat climate change,” said Mandela Barnes, Candidate for Lieutenant Governor in Wisconsin.

“I have a five-year-old and twenty-year-old, and I am running because I want them to inherit a world that is cleaner and safer,” said Erica McAdoo, Candidate for North Carolina House District 63. “Setting North Carolina on a path to fuel our state completely through renewable energy by 2050 is the best way to ensure we can sustain our way of life without sacrificing our health or our natural resources.”

“I am proud to sponsor Maryland’s effort to expand our commitment to renewable energy, because I know that it will bring good, supporting jobs to the hard-hatted women and men who install and maintain these systems, while improving air quality in some of the most environmentally degraded areas of the state,” said Cheryl Glenn, Candidate for Maryland General Assembly Seat 45. “As an African-American legislator who cares deeply about the environment and social justice, I cannot and will not hesitate to push our state to lead the nation in renewable energy production and use, so we can together reach the goal of Clean Energy For All.”

Muffy Davis, running for the Idaho House in district 26A, is just one example. When her name is mentioned in the Wood River Valley, you’ll hear words like “leader,” “inspired,” and “fighter” not far behind. She’s a world-renowned motivational speaker, gold medal Paralympian, wife, mother, and now a clean energy candidate. Davis has always pushed herself and her community to lead, inspire, and fight for what’s right, which is why she is dedicated to putting her energy behind the fight for 100 percent clean energy. Muffy sees clean energy as both a solution to the problems stemming from a changing climate and as an economic bridge between Idaho’s rural and urban communities.

“My vision for Idaho’s energy future includes a transition to clean energy that will allow our families to thrive, and give young people the option to find success in our local communities whether they live in urban or rural areas,” Davis said.

The Conservation Voter Movement, made up of LCV and 30 affiliated state organizations,  launched Clean Energy for All in March 2018. The network-wide effort was created to help move our country to 100 percent clean energy and pollution-free communities by 2050. In addition to the commitment, the Clean Energy for All campaign works to elevate climate change up and down the ballot including by winning ballot initiatives that promote clean energy and reduce pollution, encouraging state and local lawmakers to break down the barriers to clean energy, and pushing for smart investments that reduce air pollution. An FAQ on the campaign is available here.

The campaign was inspired by New Jersey LCV’s successful “Green in ‘17” campaign that won a 100 percent clean energy commitment from now Governor Phil Murphy, who has since signed legislation jumpstarting offshore wind in the state and dramatically increasing the state’s clean energy standard.

More stories of candidates making the commitment around the country can be found here: https://medium.com/@LCVoters/clean-energy-for-all-2018-candidates-commitments-37ddff3f4db0

###

Paid for by League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and authorized by Mandela for Wisconsin, The Committee to Elect Erica McAdoo, Friends of Cheryl Glenn, and Muffy For Idaho.