FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 6, 2016
CONTACT:
Mike Berkowitz
248-345-9808
mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org
Sierra Club Endorses Michigan
Legislative and Local Candidates
The
Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, a non-partisan environmental protection
organization, today announced its second round of candidate endorsements in
Michigan’s upcoming state house and local elections. These endorsements precede
the 2016 August primary election and come after a thorough review by local and
state committees within the Sierra Club’s volunteer leadership.
“These
Sierra Club endorsed candidates are champions who demonstrate strong leadership
in promoting clean air, clean water, cleaner energy and a healthier Michigan,” said
Mike Berkowitz, Political Director of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “Our
members are committed to making sure voters are aware of the strong
environmental values of these endorsed candidates. We will work hard to ensure
they are successful in the upcoming election.”
Michigan Sierra Club endorsed the
following candidates for State Representative:
Carla Tinsley-Smith for District 2
Kevin Hertel for District 18
John Chirkun for District 22
Dana Camphous-Peterson for District 24
Jim Ellison for District 26
William Sowerby for District 31
Sheldon Neeley for District 34
Michael Stack for District 39
Nicole Bedi for District 40
Pam Faris for District 48
Phil Phelps for District 49
Tim Sneller for District 50
Anne Brown for District 54
Tom Redmond for District 56
David LaGrand for District 75
James Wencel for District 84
Sean Mullally for District 92
Don Tilley for District 96
Geoff Malicoat for District 98
Jordan Stancil for District 103
Betsy Coffia for District 104
Erin Kieliszewski for District 106
Sierra
Club also endorsed the following for local races:
Jim Nash for Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner
Phillip Reid for Oakland County Commission District 1
Colleen Crossey for Oakland County Commission District 9
David Bowman for Oakland County Commission District 10
Charles Gaba for Oakland County Commission District 12
Marcia Gershenson for Oakland County Commission District 13
Charles Salgat for Oakland County Commission District 16
Helaine Zack for Oakland County Commission District 18
Dave Woodward for Oakland County Commission District 19
Martha Scott for Wayne County Commission District 3
Patrick Crandell for
Wayne County Commission District 9
Patricia Hartig for Wayne County Commission District 15
Glenn Anderson for Wayne County Commission District 12
Pegge Adams for Genesee County Commission District 9
Rachel Hood for Kent County
Drain Commissioner
Neil Blakeslee
for Kent County Commission District 1
Harold Mast for Kent County Commission District 12
Carol Hennessy for Kent County Commission District 14
Jim Talen for Kent County Commission District 15
Tony Baker for Kent County Commission District 18
Phil Skaggs for Kent County
Commission District 19
John Taylor for Kalamazoo County Clerk
Julie Rogers for Kalamazoo County Commission District 5
Julie Rogers for Kalamazoo County Commission District 5
Jake Smith for Calhoun
County Commission District 3
“Sierra
Club volunteers from the organization’s 80,000 Michigan members and supporters
will work with endorsed candidates in their own districts, identifying and
recruiting other likely voters who are concerned about the state’s
environmental and energy policies” said Richard Morley Barron, Political
Chair of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.
“Sierra
Club is a grassroots organization and our political strength is in educating
and mobilizing environmental voters,” said Barron. “Given the unprecedented challenges facing
our Great Lakes, our climate and the recent weakening of pollution protection
and enforcement, we are committed to implementing the most robust effort of any
election year in our history. The times
demand it and our members expect it.”
The
Michigan Chapter’s Political Committee conducts thorough reviews of all
candidates based on their environmental history, voting records and policy
positions through candidate interviews, voting scorecards, and responses to
candidate questionnaires.
A full list of candidates and ballot
proposals endorsed by the Michigan Sierra Club, including federal, state and
local candidates, is available here.
About
the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest
and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.4
million members and supporters nationwide, and over 80,000 in Michigan. In
addition to creating opportunities for people of all ages, levels and locations
to have meaningful outdoor experiences, the Sierra Club works to safeguard the
health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild
places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation.
For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org.
Paid for by Michigan Sierra PAC (109 E. Grand River Ave.
Lansing, MI 48906)
