04/16/2012

NCLCV announces its legislative primary endorsements, this week in CIB:

• Campaign Watch: NCLCV Announces Legislative Primary Endorsements
• Education & Resources: Green Tie Coming June 20

Campaign Watch: NCLCV Announces Legislative Primary Endorsements

NCLCV today announced the endorsement of 10 pro-conservation legislators facing opposition in the May 8 primary voting. Eight House members and two Senators are receiving a "green seal of approval" for their support of clean air and water, protection of public health, conservation of our land and wildlife, clean renewable energy, and general wise use of our natural resources.

Dan Crawford, NCLCV's Director of Governmental Relations, said, "These leaders are helping fight the anti-environmental tides in the current North Carolina General Assembly. They're showing the values our state needs to find our way out of tough economic times without sacrificing the standards and protections that make North Carolina one of the best places in our nation to live."

NCLCV makes endorsement decisions based on the environmental voting and leadership record of incumbent legislators, issue questionnaires sent to candidates, and other background information. The percentage numbers in the following paragraphs represent each legislator's positive voting percentage on the Conservation Legislative Scorecard in the legislative year noted. The 2011 full scorecard, including details on the votes scored, and how each legislator voted on each issue, can be viewed online here: http://nclcv.org/assets/pdfs/nclcv_scorecard_2011.pdf

The following pro-conservation Representatives have received NCLCV's endorsement for their May 8 N.C. House primaries:

• District 2:   Rep. Winkie Wilkins (D-Person). 50% 2011; 70% 2009-10. While Rep. Wilkins' 2011 score is down from previous sessions, he has been placed by redistricting in a primary contest with another incumbent who has the distinction of the lowest 2011 environmental score for any Democrat in the legislature--a very poor 18%. Rep. Wilkins' moderate environmental record is clearly superior, and his primary win would send a strong pro-conservation message to other legislators.
• District 5:   Rep. Annie Mobley (D-Hertford). 83% 2011; 81% 2009-10. Rep. Mobley is an experienced legislator with a clear appreciation for the importance of public health, abundant natural resources, and a clean environment.
• District 7:   Rep. Angela Bryant (D-Halifax). 83% 2011; 90% 2009-10. Rep. Bryant received a Green Tie award from NCLCV in 2009 for her emerging leadership on key environmental protections, energy and energy efficiency issues.
• District 18:   Rep. Susi Hamilton (D-New Hanover). 83% 2011. Rep. Hamilton was one of the top-scoring first-year legislators in 2011.
• District 23:   Rep. Joe Tolson (D-Edgecombe). 67% 2011; 75% 2009-10; 78% career average.
• District 33:   Rep. Rosa Gill (D-Wake). 83% 2011; 92% career average. Rep. Gill received a Green Tie award in 2011 for demonstrating her understanding that a healthy environment is necessary for a strong North Carolina.
• District 39:   Rep. Darren Jackson (D-Wake). 91% 2011; 86% 2009-10. Rep. Jackson also received a Green Tie award in 2011 for his leadership in support of wise stewardship and use of our natural resources.
• District 117:   Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson). 58% 2011. Rep. McGrady was an important voice for environmental moderation in the House Republican Caucus throughout the year. In the face of hard pressure, he still outperformed his caucus' average score by a whopping 40%.

Two Senators have also received NCLCV's endorsement for their May 8 N.C. Senate primaries:

• District 5:   Former Senator Don Davis (D-Greene). Former Senator Davis had a good 83% rating for the 2009-10 legislative sessions before losing his re-election bid in 2010. He's running again in a realigned Senate District 5 and would make a positive addition to the 2013 General Assembly.
• District 28:   Sen. Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford). 50% 2011. Scores were depressed across the board in 2011, as the new Senate leadership pushed hard for a wave of anti-environmental legislation. The Senate average for 2011 was a mere 27%. In fact, four of the most environmentally egregious votes came with no dissenting votes at all. Even during such a tough year, NCLCV's analysis concluded that new Senator Robinson shows the potential for positive environmental leadership in future sessions, and encourages primary voters to give her that opportunity.

NCLCV will make additional endorsements after the May 8 primary. In the meantime, NCLCV encourages its members and volunteers to support and assist these good environmental leaders, and to encourage family and friends to do likewise.

Education & Resources: Green Tie Coming June 20

NCLCV's 2012 Green Tie Dinner has been finalized for Wednesday, June 20, in Raleigh. The annual recognition event for environmental legislative heroes will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Raleigh Downtown Sheraton, 421 South Salisbury Street. Representatives of the year, "Rising Stars", and a "Defender of the Environment" will be honored. Make plans to spend the Summer Solstice evening this year with green friends and allies at NCLCV's fun bash. You can take a look at past honorees, and sponsorship opportunities for this year, here: http://nclcv.org/what/honoring/green_tie_2012/