New Jersey League of Conservation Voters set a high bar in this year’s legislative elections to win a pro-environment majority in the Assembly, committing to protect pro-environment incumbents while we pushed the envelope by competing in tough legislative districts to replace anti-environment politicians .
“Our top priority in 2019 was protecting pro-environment incumbents, and we did that, with X% of these lawmakers winning re-election,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey LCV. “Our $60,000 campaign protected at least 26 incumbents who have led the push to transform environmental policies in Trenton. We knocked thousands or doors, called thousands of conservation voters, advertised online and sent mailers to tens of thousands of families.”
New Jersey LCV sought to replace anti-environment legislators with candidates committed to a pro-environment agenda in tough legislative districts. Although we came up short, these formidable challengers came close, in several cases coming with hundreds of votes.
“We’re proud of our work to make the environment a major issue in this year’s legislative election and protect key pro-environment lawmakers,” Potosnak said.
However, these losses serve as a wake-up call to the environmental community, which cannot simply rely on national political trends to ensure pro-conservation candidates are elected across the Garden State. There needs to be significant, thorough action to build on recent successes in Trenton to protect clean water, preserve open space and curb carbon emissions.
“Our 2020 election effort kicks off today,” Potosnak said. “We’re organizing on the ground, working with municipal officials and recruiting candidates to ensure that everyone in New Jersey has access to clean drinking water, air that’s safe to breathe and accessible places to get outdoors.”