Primary election day for all federal candidates is Tuesday, June 26th! Polls are open from 6am – 9pm. To find which district you are in, or to locate a voting site near you, click here.
It is more important than ever that to vote for the candidate who will make the preservation of our natural resources, the fight against climate change, and the public’s health a priority. We’ve reviewed the records of the candidates and hope NYLCV members will join us in protecting the environment by voting in support of our endorsed candidates. Here are the Congressmembers that we have endorsed in the Primary Election:
Yvette Clarke – District 9
Since her election in 2006, Congresswoman Clarke has supported environmental regulations including those regarding safe drinking water, the conservation of land, and standards for greenhouse gas emissions. She currently serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is an advocate for the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. Due to Clarke’s advocacy of environmental regulations, she has received a 97% on the 2017 scorecard, with a lifetime score of 94%.
Carolyn Maloney – District 12
Congresswoman Maloney has been an avid supporter of many pieces of environmental legislation including the National Estuary Program, Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, National Estuary Program, and Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan just to name a few. She is also a member of the Safe Climate Caucus, and advocates for American energy independence, and protection for our public lands. Maloney has received a 97% on the 2017 scorecard, with a 95% lifetime average.
Joseph Crowley – District 14
Since his election in 1998, Congressman Crowley has supported many programs including the Clean Air Act, 100 by ‘50 Act, the Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act, and more. His 100% score on our environmental scorecard is backed-up with a record of support for legislation including the Hudson-Raritan Estuary Comprehensive Restoration Plan and his introduction of the Bike-to-Work Act.
Eliot Engel – District 16
Congressman Engel has secured positions of leadership and top memberships in numerous environmentally-minded committees including the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Oil and National Security Caucus. He has advocated for a cleaner, healthier environment for New Yorkers and all Americans. He authored and passed nearly two dozen amendments to bills including requiring federal-owned or leased vehicles to use alternative fuel options. He has earned a high average ranking of 97% on National LCV’s 2017 National Environmental Scorecard.
The endorsements were made by the State Board members using responses to the NYLCV questionnaire that highlights environmental issues and in the case of incumbents, ratings from the National LCV Environmental Scorecard that grades votes by members of Congress. The questionnaire includes questions regarding climate change, public health, clean water, and the conservation of land. This year, the organization made 15 endorsements in U.S. House races of candidates with outstanding environmental records. An endorsement in the U.S. Senate race will be made by the board of directors in July.
NYLCV will make endorsements in the 2018 state elections later this summer. These endorsements will be based on a separate questionnaire as well as the organization’s forthcoming NYLCV 2018 State Legislative Environmental Scorecard. The bills selected for the scorecard include legislation on Drug Take Back programs, toxic chemicals in children’s products, pollinator-friendly solar arrays, and disposable bag waste reduction. Legislators will be scored based on their co-sponsorship and votes on these bills.