Press Releases

LCV Action Fund Endorses Melanie Stansbury for Congress

Apr 20, 2021

Courtnee Connon, 727-744-4163, courtnee_connon@lcv.org

Washington, D.C. — The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, which works to elect pro-environment candidates, announced its endorsement of Melanie Stansbury for election to the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District.

“Representative Melanie Stansbury is one of the foremost environmental champions in the New Mexico legislature and we know she will be an incredible leader for climate and environmental justice in Congress,” said LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “We are proud to support her for election because she will bring her expertise driving equitable and bold policies to Congress to fight for good-paying union jobs and continue Secretary Haaland’s strong legacy centering the voices of communities who are most impacted by the climate crisis and pollution.”

“Melanie was one of the top environmental policy minds in the Roundhouse the minute that she stepped into the building,” said New Mexico Conservation Voters Political & Policy Director Ben Shelton. “Her skill and compassion as a legislator stood out immediately. I have no doubt that she will continue to be a rising star in the conservation and climate arena as the CD 1 representative in Washington D.C.”

“I am proud to have the support of the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund. We agree that it’s critical to protect our environment and build a more equitable and sustainable future. I look forward to our continued mission of environmental justice in Congress,” said Representative Melanie Stansbury

Melanie Stansbury grew up in a working class family on the westside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Her family struggled with housing and food insecurity and lack of health care.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology and Natural Science from Saint Mary’s College of California and a Master’s degree in Development Sociology from Cornell University.  She began her career as a science educator with the Museum of Natural History and worked as a researcher and advisor on land and water issues, focused on New Mexico’s water needs.  She continued this work at the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.  In 2018, Stansbury was the first woman and first Democrat elected to serve as state representative in House District 28. During her time as a state representative, Stansbury passed legislation to foster resilience in food and water systems and support stewardship of energy resources.  She introduced and passed a bill to modernize New Mexico’s electrical grid and advance a more data-driven approach to water management.  Additionally, she passed legislation to support New Mexico’s farmers in improving soil health and agricultural practices and to expand access to school meal programs. She has earned a 97 percent lifetime score from Conservation Voters New Mexico.

 

About LCV Action Fund

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, the connected federal political action committee (PAC) of the League of Conservation Voters, works to elect leaders who stand up for a clean, healthy environment and to defeat anti-environment candidates who oppose climate action. Since the 1990 election cycle, LCVAF has helped elect and re-elect 95 U.S. Senators and 460 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Over the last several years, our efforts have also helped elevate climate change and clean energy as critical issues in key elections.

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Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and authorized by Melanie for New Mexico