NCLCV Conservation PAC endorses nine legislative candidates ahead of May primary

RALEIGH, N.C.— With just over two months until the primary, the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) Conservation PAC (CPAC) weighed in today with its first round of endorsements for nine state legislative candidates across the state.

All but one of the endorsements are for incumbents, and all of them have maintained strong records in NCLCV’s annual environmental scorecard, the latest edition of which will be released this summer. Two of those incumbents are switching chambers, however.

ENDORSED CANDIDATE	DISTRICT	COUNTIES
Graig Meyer^	Senate 23	Caswell, Orange, Person
Julie Mayfield*	Senate 49	Buncombe
Rosa Gill*	House 33	Wake
Joe John*	House 40	Wake
Kimberly Hardy+	House 43	Cumberland
Pricey Harrison*	House 61	Guilford
Sarah Crawford^	House 66	Wake
John Autry*	House 100	Mecklenburg
Kelly Alexander*	House 107	Mecklenburg

In 2016, NCLCV was instrumental in electing Roy Cooper governor, and in 2018 and 2020, helped multiply the environmental champions who have successfully sustained his vetoes of Jones Street’s pro-polluter policies for the last four years.

This year, NCLCV won a landmark victory in its lawsuit NCLCV v Hall, in which the state Supreme Court ruled partisan gerrymandering unconstitutional for the first time.

“With new, fairer maps, North Carolinians have their best chance in a decade to elect a General Assembly that fights for their right to clean air, clean water, clean energy, and the equal freedom to vote,” said NCLCV Executive Director Carrie Clark. “But first our stoutest environmental champions have to win their primaries, so we are fast-tracking them in this first round of endorsements for the 2022 cycle.”

Rep. Meyer is making a bid for an open Senate seat, whilc Sen. Crawford is running for a newly created House seat. “We must continue to prioritize legislation that reduces carbon emissions and addresses climate change’s multitude of impacts on North Carolina. We should be optimistic that North Carolina has clean energy and transportation opportunities that will also create jobs and economic development opportunities across our state,” said Rep. Graig Meyer.

CPAC endorsed Dr. Hardy in her 2020 bid for the same seat, in which she won the primary but narrowly lost in November. “I am honored to be endorsed by Conservation PAC! We must hold corporate polluters accountable, including for GenX. We also need to do much more to expand local, clean energy choices for Cumberland homes and farms,” said Dr. Kimberly Hardy.

“NCLCV endorses only the strongest environmental advocates, and I am proud to have earned their endorsement again,” said Sen. Julie Mayfield.

Autry and Harrison have no opponents in the primary or general elections, but have been among the most reliable advocates of environmental protections and climate action, maintaining 100% lifetime scores. “We are excited Representatives Autry and Harrison have already earned another term in the House, and look forward to continuing our close work with them next session,” Clark continued.

CPAC makes endorsement decisions based on the environmental voting and leadership records of incumbent legislators and other officials, issue questionnaires sent to candidates, and other background information.

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The North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) is a pragmatic, results-oriented, nonpartisan advocacy organization whose mission is to protect the health and quality of life for all North Carolinians, with an intentional focus on systematically excluded communities of color. We elect environmental champions, advocate for environmental policies that protect our communities, and hold elected leaders accountable for their decisions. We have worked for over 50 years to create the political environment that will protect our natural environment.