Leading Political Environmental Group Endorses in New Jersey Special Elections

TRENTON, NJ- New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the leading political voice for the environment in New Jersey, announced its endorsements for the 2018 New Jersey Special Elections today. Ten appointed legislators are seeking re-election in seven special elections.

New Jersey LCV endorsed the following candidates for Assembly: Verlina Reynolds-Jackson in District 15, Linda Carter in District 22, Britnee Timberlake in District 34, and Clinton Calabrese in District 36.

“We are thrilled to announce our 2018 endorsements,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey LCV. “These candidates are all committed to fighting for healthy communities, creating good local jobs in the clean energy economy, and preserving New Jersey’s natural resources. I am confident that if re-elected, they will continue that fight in the Assembly.”

New Jersey LCV is a nonpartisan organization whose mission is to elect environmental champions, and is the only New Jersey environmental group with a Political Action Committee (PAC) and a Super PAC.

In District 15, New Jersey LCV endorsed Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson. “Verlina is an incredible ally on crucial issues such as opposing the unneeded PennEast Pipeline,” said Ed Potosnak. “We look forward to her bringing real change to the legislature and instilling a renewed sense of energy to Trenton.”

In District 22, of New Jersey LCV’s endorsement of Assemblywoman Linda Carter Potosnak said, “Linda is a leader, plain and simple. She knows how to get things done and has consistently advocated for initiatives that prioritize environmental protection and clean energy. We are proud to endorse her for District 22.”

“I am thrilled to be endorsed by the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters,” said Assemblywoman Linda Carter. “Since I was a councilmember, I have repeatedly worked to protect our environment and improve the health of our communities and I look forward to working with New Jersey LCV in the assembly to ensure that we continue to take strong action to address climate change.”

In District 34, New Jersey LCV endorsed Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake. “When she was a Freeholder, Britnee spearheaded the Essex County Clean Jobs Initiative. This initiative created workforce development programs for local residents in environmental lead, asbestos, and contamination remediation,” said Ed Potosnak. “We have endorsed her for District 34 because she knows that good local jobs and clean healthy communities go hand in hand.”

“As a member of the General Assembly, my goal is to ensure that the needs of the people of New Jersey are fully represented and to create legislation that will improve quality of life. Any neglect presented toward our environment will directly impact the health and wellness of our families,” said Assemblywoman Timberlake.  “It is my plan to continue to serve as an advocate for environmental issues in New Jersey that impact public health in addition to preserving the natural beauty of our state and for future generations. Thank you to the members of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters for endorsing me.”

Of New Jersey LCV’s endorsement of Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese in District 36, Potosnak said, “Assemblyman Calabrese is a growing force in the Assembly, and we’re proud to endorse him,” said Ed Potosnak. “He has quickly played a leadership role in efforts to end the environmental nightmare of pesticides, to ignite conversation on the need for smart development practices and planning, and to build infrastructure for electric transportation.”

“I am grateful for the endorsement of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters,” said Calabrese. “Since my appointment to the Assembly earlier this year, I have worked to encourage a movement towards clean and renewable energies and have prioritized supporting legislative efforts to protect our environment and natural resources. I am looking forward to working with the League to continue moving New Jersey forward.”

In the 2017 election cycle, the group’s PAC and Super PAC spent a total of $401,000 on endorsed candidates including gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy and Senator Kip Bateman (R-16), a record-shattering amount by an environmental organization in a New Jersey election.

New Jersey LCV was also the first environmental organization to endorse Phil Murphy for Governor, four months before the gubernatorial primary. The group ran an extensive paid voter education and turnout effort to educate the state about Phil Murphy’s pro-environmental agenda. New Jersey LCV Education Fund also invested $787,500 in nonpartisan voter registration, communications, and organizing to elevate conservation issues in the gubernatorial election. Because of these efforts, the environment was named a top-five issue in the 2017 race for governor.

A full list of these endorsements can be found here <Endorsemetns>  including biographies of the endorsees.

A full list of past endorsements can be found here <Endorsements> .

New Jersey League of Conservation Voters is a non-partisan organization whose mission is to elect environmental champions, hold public officials accountable, and support laws which protect our environment and improve the quality of people’s lives.