Sierra Club New Jersey Endorses State Senators Smith, Greenstein and Zwicker

The Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter has announced the endorsement of State Senators Bob Smith-LD17, Linda Greenstein-LD 14 and Andrew Zwicker-LD16.  All three candidates, who are seeking reelection in their respective districts, have been strong leaders for the environment and have demonstrated their commitment through legislation that they have sponsored or supported.

“We are proud to endorse Senator Smith, Senator Greenstein, and Senator Zwicker because they have consistently introduced and voted for legislation that will help protect our environment. We support these legislators because they understand that climate change is an emergency and its impacts are already happening. Senator Smith has contributed greatly toward many clean energy bills and has been influential in kick starting New Jersey’s transition to offshore wind and solar power through his creation of the Clean Energy Task Force. Not only has Senator Smith acted on climate solutions and moving away from fossil fuels, he has also been a leader in tackling the plastic pollution in the state. Senator Greenstein’s leadership for tackling toxic chemicals has been monumental. Greenstein is spearheading major PFAS bills that would require the DEP and the Drinking Water Quality Institute to further understand and regulate PFAS in our environment. Senator Zwicker has been a champion when it comes to supporting electric vehicles and making sure that critical environmental programs in the state are efficiently funded,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, New Jersey Director of the Sierra Club. 

New Jersey State Senator Bob Smith (D) represents District 17, the district includes the Middlesex County municipalities of Milltown, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Piscataway, along with the Somerset County municipality of Franklin Township. Senator Smith is the chair of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and is running for re-election this term.

“The contribution of the Sierra Club, as an integral partner, is instrumental in passing sound environmental legislation here in New Jersey. Together we have enacted landmark laws to ensure a cleaner greener Garden State for future generations. I am honored to receive this endorsement,” said NJ State Senator Bob Smith.

Linda Greenstein (D), New Jersey Senator representing District 14, this district covers the Mercer County municipalities of East Windsor Township, Hamilton Township, Hightstown Borough and Robbinsville Township; and the Middlesex County municipalities of Cranbury Township, Jamesburg Borough, Monroe Township, Plainsboro Township and Spotswood Borough. Senator Greenstein is the chair of Senate Law and Public Committee and the Vice Chair of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. She will also be running for re-election. Senator Greenstein shares;

“I am deeply grateful to the NJ Sierra Club for their endorsement. This organization’s dedication to protecting our environment inspires me, and I know that together, we will leave a legacy of clean air, clean water, and thriving wildlife for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”

“As chair and co-chair of the Senate Environment and Energy Commission, Smith and Greenstein have sponsored numerous bills that aim to protect our drinking water, establish requirements for the regulation of plastic in products and divesting State pension and annuity funds from fossil fuel companies. Together they have led the state toward tackling these and many other environmental issues. Most recently Senator Greenstein took a hard stand on implementing the Inland Flood Protection Rule which would raise the “design flood elevation” – the minimum level of the habitable first floor of a new building in non-tidal areas – by 2 feet from existing DEP flood maps, and by 3 feet from maps drawn by FEMA.  “One only needs to look at the devastation in Manville after Hurricane Ida to realize it is imperative the IFP Rule be implemented to help mitigate damage from future climate events,” said Karen Becker, Political Chair of the Sierra Club New Jersey.

State Senator Andrew Zwicker (D) is running for re-election in New Jersey’s 16th district this year. The district includes the Hunterdon County municipalities of Delaware Township, Flemington Borough, Raritan Township, Readington Township and Stockton Borough. Senator Zwicker makes the following statement on his endorsement;

“The Sierra Club is the largest grassroots environmental advocacy group in the country and has fought tirelessly to make sure all New Jerseyans have access to clean air, water, land, and energy. As a scientist, I have spent my career working on the development of an advanced form of safe, clean energy, and as a legislator, I have used my experience to advocate for common-sense environmental legislation to protect the future and health of New Jersey families. I am proud to run for re-election to the NJ State Senate with the endorsement of the Sierra Club.”

“Senator Andrew Zwicker is an environmental champion in the state legislature. His background and knowledge as a scientist has been instrumental in advancing clean energy for New Jersey. He has helped move NJ forward with electric vehicles, clean energy, and environmental protections such as clean air, clean water, and open space,” said Rich Isaac, Chair of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “As a legislator who not only understands the importance of listening to science in order to protect the environment, but is a leading physicist at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory, the Sierra Club recognizes the importance of keeping Sen. Zwicker in office and is making his reelection a top priority.”

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The Sierra Club is not only the nation’s oldest and largest environmental group, but one of the most influential when it comes to making political endorsements. The New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club has close to over 80,000 members and supporters in New Jersey and 3.8 million members nationwide.