Sierra Club Jumps Into Gubernatorial Race

For Immediate Release
April 14, 2009

Contact: Richard Isaac, Political Chair 973-716-0297; risaacx_at_aol.com Jeff Tittel, Chapter Director 609-656-7612; Jeff.Tittel_at_SierraClub.org Kara Seymour, Chapter Program Assistant, 609-656-7612; Kara.Seymour_at_SierraClub.org

Sierra Club Jumps Into Gubernatorial Race

Trenton, NJ - The Sierra Club announced today that it has distributed issue questionnaires to gubernatorial candidates, kicking off its endorsement process.

The club typically sends out its questionnaires to major party candidates only, but this year it has also included Chris Daggett, former Commissioner of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, because of his familiarity with many environmental issues.

"We want to make sure that the environment is going to be a major issue in this year's gubernatorial campaign and we plan to hold the candidates accountable," said Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club Director. "Four years ago, the Sierra Club made an early endorsement. This time we plan to be more deliberative and do a lot more vetting."

The questionnaire focuses on ways to implement the Global Warming Response Act, including implementing green building laws, establishing appliance standards, enacting a trip reduction program, and designating secure funds for open space.

"While it's still way too early in the campaign for us to know who we might end up supporting, we're nevertheless concerned that up to this point most gubernatorial candidates have not yet focused on environmental issues," said Richard Isaac, the Chapter's Political Chair. "At this point, we welcome the opportunity to learn more about all the candidates' positions on environmental issues, and hope that beginning our endorsement process now will help all the candidates better appreciate our issues."

"Here in New Jersey, just about all the candidates like to say they care about the environment, but often talk in generalities," Isaac said. "While our questionnaire allows for candidates to offer their own suggestions, it is also quite specific about particular issues so that we can see - and share with the public - if the candidates are really serious about protecting our water supply, air quality, and remaining natural areas. We look forward to starting the endorsement interview process, campaigning for, and helping to elect our endorsed candidate."

Once the questionnaires are returned by the candidates, the Sierra Club will conduct interviews. An endorsement will follow the interviews. To get the green housekeeping seal of approval, the candidate needs a two-thirds majority vote among the club's Executive Committee and Political Committee.

The Sierra Club is the nation's oldest and largest environmental group with more than 750,000 members, about 23,000 of them within New Jersey.

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Kara Seymour, Program Assistant NJ Sierra Club

145 W. Hanover Street Trenton, NJ 08618

609.656.7612

(f) 609.656.7618

<http://www.newjersey.sierraclub.org> www.newjersey.sierraclub.org

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