O’Rourke Endorsed By Nancy Stephens and Tim Guinee on Virtual Rally with Over 60 Environmental Leaders and Activists

Dr. O’Rourke is a widely recognized expert in climate science and environmental policy. She is a public servant who worked as a tenured professor, senior advisor in Congress, and, most recently, as the lead climate change scientist at the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Throughout her career, she has championed sustainable production of healthy, affordable food and protected our air and water. Dr. O’Rourke resigned from her job in the federal government when the Trump Administration attacked her work fighting climate change and keeping our food, air, and water safe.

“I have devoted my career to putting healthy, affordable food on the table in the face of a changing climate. This is increasingly difficult because of the policies of the Trump Administration," said O’Rourke. “They’re rolling back regulations on greenhouse gases. They’re relaxing rules on pesticides, PFAS, and mercury to help big corporations at the expense of our health and our children’s future. I’ll fight to keep our food, air, and water safe. And I’ll use my expertise as a lead climate scientist to fight climate change because it is an existential threat and a dollars-and-cents issue that impacts our economy and our health. I’m honored to have the support of leading climate advocates and environmentalists who know I will fight for science and stand up to the Trump Administration’s dangerous environmental policies.”

Nancy Stephens, an actor, environmental leader, and member of the Board of the Union of Concerned Scientists, joined the virtual rally to endorse Dr. O’Rourke.

“Megan understands the urgency of climate change and is ready to fight the onslaught of attacks on science and democracy. We need leaders in Congress who understand climate change as an existential threat and who have the experience to enact the solutions to fight it. Megan is that kind of leader. She is an incredibly talented and moral scientist who left an Administration that refused to recognize science and attacked our ability to fight climate change. Megan will be able to reach across the aisle in a very human way to get things done and keep our people and planet safe and healthy.”

Tim Guinee is an actor, the president of Climate Action Now and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Commission on Accelerating Climate Solutions.

“Right now, Congress is just parroting the talking points of the fossil fuel industry, an industry that put $445 million into the last election cycle. There are too many people in Washington who are incapable of promoting policies about the climate crisis based on facts, and they aren’t representing the values of New Jersey. We need leaders in Congress who understand that facts are not optional, that evidence is not partisan, and that science is the basis for responsible governance. New Jersey deserves someone who understands the seriousness, and not just the seriousness, but the possibility that this climate crisis and this moment allow for all of us. That’s why I’m supporting Megan. Megan believes in science-based policymaking. She understands that environmental protection and economic growth aren’t separate things. They are deeply intertwined.  We need leaders who will stand up and say the facts matter. We need Megan. We have an opportunity to send a climate scientist who understands the beautiful value of facts to Washington.”

O’Rourke has been endorsed by Rep. Ro Khanna, Former NJ Rep. Dr. Rush Holt, Rep. Chellie Pingree, and four local unions. She is building strong grassroots support throughout the district.

About Dr. Megan O’Rourke

Dr. Megan O’Rourke is running for Congress in New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District in the Democratic primary. Megan grew up in a family of six in Blairstown. She earned her Ph.D. and ran a small farm before becoming a lead climate scientist at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). During her time with the USDA, Dr. O’Rourke was a labor leader and fought for workers’ rights. Dr. O’Rourke left the federal government in the Summer of 2025 because she could not work for an Administration that was taking America backwards on climate and advancing policies that raise costs and hurt working families.

Learn more: https://meganorourkeforcongress.com/

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