Leading Environmental Group Is
First To Endorse in 2018 Race
LANSING, MI—Sierra Club, the nation’s oldest and largest
environmental organization, today announced its endorsement of Gretchen Whitmer
for governor, citing the Democratic candidate’s strong record and leadership on
issues impacting Michigan’s public health and Great Lakes environment.
This is the first announced environmental endorsement of a
candidate for governor in either party in the 2018 Michigan election.
“Gretchen Whitmer is an extraordinary candidate and Sierra Club is
excited to announce our strong endorsement of her as the next governor of the
Great Lakes State,” said Anne Woiwode,
Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Chair. “She brings something we have not had for
eight years, which is a strong, decisive leader with a proven track record on
public health, Michigan's environment and social justice.
“Gretchen Whitmer's voice, values and experience are what Michigan
desperately needs. Following eight years of disastrous policies that have
left communities like Flint badly diminished and protection of our lakes,
rivers and streams put in the hands of corporate polluters, Gretchen Whitmer
will again make people and our natural heritage a priority.”
“Gretchen Whitmer is a mom like me and
wants what most of us want and that’s a healthy Michigan for our kids and our
future,” said Deitra Porter, a
Sierra Club member from the Detroit area. “She cares about protecting our children and
wants to make sure that government is on the side of families who need
affordable, safe drinking water and early childhood education so their kids
have the tools they need to protect the planet. That’s why as a Sierra
Club volunteer leader I support endorsing Gretchen Whitmer for Michigan’s next
governor.”
Patrick Egan, a Sierra
Club member and resident of Brimley in
the Upper Peninsula, cited Whitmer’s track record and commitment to protecting the
Great Lakes.
"Michigan forests and the Great
Lakes don't have a vote. Gretchen Whitmer was here and told us she will represent
Michigan's priceless assets,” said Egan. “She will decommission the
65-year-old, obsolete oil pipeline that crosses over 200 Upper Peninsula bodies
of water and keep all Michiganders safe from the dangers of Line 5."
Sierra Club’s endorsement of Whitmer came as a result of
votes by the Michigan Chapter’s volunteer Political Committee and elected
Executive Committee, both of which represent local Sierra Club groups and
members throughout the state. Under the
club’s rules, a two-thirds vote is required for endorsement.
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The Sierra Club is the nation’s largest
grassroots environmental organization, with over 130,000 members and supporters
in Michigan.
