Shifting US Senate and House majorities pave the way for climate champions going forward
A historic “blue wave” election is bringing a greener version of lawmaking to the United States Congress in 2027. Voters’ massive rejection of the Trump Administration’s record at home and abroad fueled pro-environment and clean energy candidates across the nation and in North Carolina.
North Carolina environmental champions sweep
In North Carolina, the results showed up in a clean sweep of five wins out of five endorsements by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund (LCVAF) of North Carolina Congressional candidates, including Senator-Elect Roy Cooper. Other victories included US House challenger Jamie Ager in the NC-11 District, and incumbent Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-2), Valerie Foushee (NC-4), and Alma Adams (NC-12).
“North Carolinians voted to support climate champions who are committed to fighting against rising energy costs and Trump’s reckless energy policies,” said League of Conservation Voters (LCV) President Pete Maysmith. “The urgency to address the climate crisis has never been greater as people across North Carolina continue to see the devastating and lasting impacts of fossil-fueled extreme weather and pollution on communities. We can’t wait to get to work with these climate champions on real clean energy solutions and to ensure our communities are more resilient against climate change and threats to our democracy.”
Environmental champions win across US
Nationwide, at least 20 of the 23 candidates for United States Senate endorsed by LCVAF won their general election contests last week. That total has potential to rise to 21 if Democratic challenger Scott Colom holds on to his narrow lead when all votes in Mississippi are counted. These include 7 of the “flips” (change in party control) of seats which made possible the change in the Senate from pro-polluter leadership to a Senate which can be expected to support clean energy and environmental protection.
When all of the U.S. House races are settled, similar favorable results are expected there — both in overall number of successful conservationist endorsements and their contribution to the change in the U.S. House majority.
Energy bill voters
LCV leaders attributed this massive sweep of change in substantial part to what they call “Energy Bill Voters.”
LCV President Pete Maysmith said, “Energy Bill Voters showed up in unprecedented numbers, even in deep Republican territory, to reject Trump’s dirty energy agenda. Tonight’s election results show that Trump’s energy agenda was not only an economic disaster for voters, but also a political disaster for Republicans.” He added, “Voters have had enough of Trump and Congressional Republicans who sided with Big Oil, Big Polluters, monopoly utilities, and Big Tech time and time again to raise our costs.”
“LCV and our affiliated entities, along with the broader climate and clean energy movement, invested more than ever during the midterms and went on offense in Trump territory to reach voters. This election, Energy Bill Voters elected new leaders to take back the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives,” continued Maysmith.
In North Carolina, the LCV Victory Fund invested $500,000 in the campaign to elect Roy Cooper, and almost $780,000 in the campaign to elect Jamie Ager. The LCV Victory Fund efforts included ads pointing out the record of Cooper opponent Michael Whatley as a lobbyist for Big Oil and Duke Energy, and the state legislative record of Ager opponent Jennifer Capps Balkcom in supporting Duke Energy’s ability to drive up electric bills.
Environmental champions won, now what?
Now comes the more important part: delivering clean air, water, and energy for the voters that elected these champions. Democrats must take this historic win and use it to deliver affordable, clean energy. They must use this opportunity to make polluters pay to clean up our water and our air.
We will continue to work with lawmakers to make a greener, more affordable future for our state and country; but that is only made possible through our donors. Help us make the most of these election wins by becoming a recurring donor. Your donations help us strategically coordinate across the entire nation to advocate for better environmental policies.
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