For Immediate Release

Tuesday, December 17 2019

Brooklyn, NY — 350 Action is endorsing candidates who have demonstrated their commitment to progressive action on climate change, by supporting a just transition away from fossil fuels towards 100% renewable energy that centers a Green New Deal, and advocates to keep fossil fuels in the ground. You can find 350 Action’s other 2020 endorsements here.

This week, 350 Action is endorsing the following candidates:

• Kara Eastman, Democrat candidate running for the House in Nebraska’s 2nd District
• Jeff Merkley, Democrat from Oregon candidate running for re-election in the Senate

The following is a statement from 350 Action’s Policy Director, Natalie Mebane:

“The stakes are higher than ever for the future of climate in Congress. The candidates we are endorsing, incumbents and newcomers alike, are progressives committed to the climate movement. With their advocacy for the Green New Deal and their resolve to take on fossil fuel executives, Eastman and Merkley understand the level of action our government needs to take on the climate crisis. Our communities cannot wait and the time to act is now.”

350 Action endorses Kara Eastman, Democratand social worker running for the House in Nebraska’s 2nd District, with strong roots in local community organizing and on a platform that includes the Green New Deal.  Here is her response to the 350 Action candidate questionnaire: 

“I have worked in the field of environmental justice for 13 years, in the field of children’s environmental health. I also believe that economic equity should be a cornerstone for development in economically hard-hit areas. Climate change is our number one national security threat and we must act immediately.”

350 Action endorses Jeff Merkley, Democrat from Oregon candidate running for re-election in the Senate, where he has served since 2009. Merkley, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, is one of the lead cosponsors of the Green New Deal and the original sponsor of the Keep it in the Ground Act. Here is his response, submitted by the Senator’s team, to the 350 Action candidate questionnaire.

“As a member of the Senate’s Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, Sen. Merkley has investigated their network of misinformation and dark money. That’s why he cosponsored the Climate Change Disclosure Act which would force fossil fuel companies to disclose their greenhouse emissions to the SEC, as well as the company’s fossil fuel related assets and how those assets are affected by climate chaos. Sen. Merkley was a leading opponent of Rex Tillerson’s nomination as Secretary of State. Sen. Merkley is also strongly supportive of states like Massachusetts and New York that are investigating Exxon for their lies, as well as the brave youth from Our Children’s Trust who are suing the government for inaction.”

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350 Action is empowering voters across the country to make a direct impact in the most important climate races in the nation. From local elections that can determine the fate of proposed fossil fuel projects, to House races which could help wrestle control of Congress back from climate deniers and oil industry puppets, 350 Action is lifting up climate progressive candidates. Find out more about our work at www.350action.org