For Immediate Release

Tuesday, December 3 2019

Brooklyn, NY — 350 Action is endorsing candidates who have voiced and demonstrated their commitment to progressive action on climate change, by supporting a just transition away from fossil fuels towards 100% renewable energy that centers workers through a Green New Deal, and advocating to keep fossil fuels in the ground.

This week, 350 Action is endorsing the following candidates:

• McKayla Wilkes, Democrat, mother, and student, running for Maryland’s 5th District
• Marie Newman, Democrat and anti-gun violence advocate, running for Illinois’ 3rd District
• Doyle Canning, Democrat and community organizer, running for Oregon’s 4th District

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

“We are excited to support the next generation of climate leaders in Congress. As we enter the climate decade, it is critical to amplify forward-thinking candidates whose platforms are the zeitgeist of how we address the climate crisis. McKayla Wilkes, Marie Newman, and Doyle Canning are candidates who exemplify what we call a bold vision for climate and environmental justice in their support for a Green New Deal and for an end to fossil fuel extraction. ”  

350 Action endorses McKayla Wilkes, Democrat running for Maryland’s 5th District and student, running on a platform of affordable housing and corporate accountability, as well as the Green New Deal. Inspired by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Wilkes is running a progressive campaign against one of the longest serving members of Congress.  Here is her response to our candidate questionnaire, on how to address climate migration:

“Climate efforts must include helping coastal areas in the United States prepare and respond to rising sea levels and intensified natural disasters. Additionally, there will be people around the globe whose homes, communities, and nations are destroyed by climate change. We must expand the legal definition of refugee to include those who have been displaced by climate change, and create a program to admit them. Finally, we must provide countries in the Global South with the climate aid necessary to help prevent and prepare for the catastrophes that will create climate refugees in the first place.” 

350 Action endorses Marie Newman, Democrat and anti-gun violence advocate, running for Illinois’ 3rd District on a platform for the “everybody’s everyday,” seeking job creation and infrastructure investment, as well as the Green New Deal. Here is her response to our candidate questionnaire:

“I am fighting for the Green New Deal because we have no choice. We must create emergency level legislation that builds on the resolution, or we will begin to see dramatic changes in our health, environment and ability to live free. Honestly, I am motivated by fear but inspired by hope and innovation. A Green New Deal is what we need to ensure a safe environment for the future–without addressing this issue head-on, other progressive policies are meaningless.” 

350 Action endorses Doyle Canning, Democrat and community organizer, running for Oregon’s 4th District, on a platform of student debt cancellation and economic justice, as well as the Green New Deal.  Here is her response to our candidate questionnaire:

“I will do everything in my power to stop the Jordan Cove project in my district, and other pipeline and infrastructure build outs nationwide. I will work to end the extraction of fossil fuels, such as supporting a ban on fracking, an end to fossil fuel development on public lands, and a managed decline of the industry using quantitative easing at the federal reserve, for example. When elected, I will work to abolish subsidies to the fossil fuel industry entirely. I will follow the lead of the climate movement to keep attention in Congress on issues like fossil fuel financing, insurance, risk bonds and other instruments that can affect the industry’s access to capital.”

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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.