Clean Water Currents|Online, Fall 2008, Volume 35, No. 2

The 2008 elections provide an historic opportunity to shift the political balance of power in our country and create the kind of change that America desperately needs.

In addition to electing a president that will make the right choices for America, we need to elect enough congressional members to get us to the veto-proof magic numbers of 60 Senators and 261 Representatives who support protecting our waters, our health and our future through strong environmental policies.

In 2006, Clean Water Action helped make tremendous strides toward electing a greener Congress and building a stronger environmental majority at the federal level, with a total gain of 31 House seats and 6 Senate seats. But, those strides were tempered by tight margins of victory: 63 members of Congress won with less than 55 percent of the votes--25 of these members were freshmen and 31 members won with just 5 percent or less of the vote.

For more than two decades Clean Water Action has been investing in many of the key places where in 2008 the most important races will be decided. Clean Water Action is planning to focus on 20 to 30 priority congressional House and Senate races and the presidential race in eight battleground states including Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, Virginia and Florida. We are also looking to shore up state legislative control for an environmental majority in several states, with an eye toward 2010 when political boundaries are redrawn for legally required redistricting.

Below is a sampling of just a few of the key races and places that will help us reach the magic numbers for a greener Congress:

Clean Water Action's Election Campaigns By the Numbers

Total Election Contests: Up to 25 congressional and 81 state legislative

• U.S. Senate: 5 to 7
• U.S. House: 11 to 21
• State legislative:   up to 81

New Hampshire

This year's U.S. Senate race is a rematch of the 2002 Senate race between incumbent John Sununu, Jr. and former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen. Sununu is arguably one of the most vulnerable incumbent Senators, consistently voting in favor of Bush's failed environmental policies. Jeanne Shaheen has been a champion for New Hampshire lakes, rivers and streams, wetlands, coastal protections and smart energy choices, including protecting consumers at the pump through efficiency programs.
Covering the eastern part of the state including the seacoast and Manchester, Congressional District 1 is shaping up as a very tough campaign to re-elect freshman environmental champion, Carol Shea-Porter.

Clean Water Action is also working in 7 to 8 key New Hampshire state legislative races.

Colorado

With no incumbent running, the U.S. Senate contest between Democrat Mark Udall and Republican Bob Schaffer is a top priority race. Udall, Clean Water Action's endorsed candidate, is light years ahead of Schaffer in his lifelong commitment and leadership on key water quality and environmental issues. Udall has been a champion for Colorado lakes, rivers, and streams and supports energy efficiency and holding Big Oil accountable.

In Congressional District 4, a vulnerable anti-environmental incumbent makes this seat the most important for Clean Water Action in Colorado, where Betsy Markey is endorsed as the pro-environmental candidate. With a good environmental platform, Markey is challenging Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, an outspoken proponent of risky and expansive oil and gas drilling. The district covers most of the eastern plains and Fort Collins.

Michigan

Clean Water Action is working to support endorsed candidate and strong environmental champion, Gary Peters in Oakland County's 9th Congressional District near Detroit. Peters is challenging Rep. Joe Knollenberg, with one of the "Dirty Dozen" 12 worst environmental records in Congress.

In Congressional District 7, Clean Water Action is working on behalf of Mark Schauer, Michigan's state Senate Minority Leader, who is challenging anti-environmental incumbent Rep. Tim Walberg in this southern district which includes Lansing suburbs and small cities. Schauer has a life-time 98 percent voting record on Clean Water Action's scorecard. Clean Water Action's support for Schauer dates to his initial run for state House in 1996 when the organization helped him win a narrow victory over his challenger.

In the Michigan Legislature, Clean Water Action is working in House district 24 (St. Clair Shores and Harrison Township) on behalf of former Clean Water Action staffer and Macomb County Commissioner Sarah Roberts. In House district 91 (Muskegon area) Clean Water Action is supporting state Representative Mary Valentine's re-election bid. Other priority state races include contests in House districts 37, 39 and 62.

Florida

In Congressional District 24, covering coastal Brevard County, incumbent Representative Tom Feeney (R) is one of the top targeted races in the country. Feeney has been plagued by ethics issues and a failure to work hard for the people of the district. Kosmas has been recruited to run by national women leaders and has a solid environmental platform.

Clean Water Action is also working in key Florida state legislative races.

Pennsylvania

North of Pittsburgh, Clean Water Action is canvassing in Congressional District 4 in support of Rep. Jason Altmire, who is defending his seat in a rematch against former Rep. Melissa Hart. Hart had one of the worst environmental records in the entire Pennsylvania delegation.

In southeastern part of the state, north of Philadelphia in Congressional District 8, Clean Water Action is working to help environmental champion Rep. Patrick Murphy, who is defending his seat against challenger Tom Manion.

A group of strongly pro-environment incumbents and challengers for state House and Senate seats in southeast Pennsylvania are also Clean Water Action election priorities.

Minnesota

Environmental hero Rep. Jim Ramstad is retiring, and the open seat in Congressional District 3 is one of the most competitive in the country. Ashwin Madia won a grassroots campaign for the Democratic nomination, and will face Republican state Rep. Eric Paulsen, who has a weak 29 percent environmental voting record over the past decade.

Around the Twin Cities and suburbs, CD-2 and CD-6 are homes to two vulnerable imcumbents whose environmental scorecards show zero ratings: Rep. John Kline in the 2nd Congressional District and Rep. Michelle Bachmann in Congressional District 6. Clean Water Action is supporting a pair of pro-environment challengers, Steve Sarvi and Elwyn Tinklenberg.

Two dozen Twin Cities state legislative races are also top priorities for Clean Water Action this fall.

Virginia

In Congressional District 11, covering much of Northern Virginia's Fairfax County, Clean Water Action has endorsed candidate Gerry Connolly who is running against Keith Fimian for an open seat that Tom Davis is retiring from.Connolly has a good environmental record from his past work in state and local governments.

Find out which candidates Clean Water Action has endorsed.

By Elise Annunziata

In this issue of Clean Water Currents|Online:

The Electoral Map: Turning Red & Blue to Green

Clean Water Action's community organizers work to turn red and blue into green knowing that this election - from Congressional races to the Presidency - will determine whether or not the country turns the page on congressional gridlock and the Bush era of hostility to environmental issues.

Political Activism Translates to A Better World, A Clean, Safer Environment

John DeCock, Clean Water Action's CEO, explains more about our involvement in the political process, and how we work with supporters to hold government accountable.

The Five Most Important Tasks for the Next President

With the sun setting on eight years of the most anti-environmental administration in modern history, the to-do list for the next President is a long one. Clean Water Action surveyed our members and staff and here's what we came up with as a short list of priorities for the next administration.

On Clean Water, is John McCain George Bush Redux?

A close examination of John McCain's legislative record on clean water issues shows adopting an "anybody but" position on election-day would have far-reaching, negative consequences in a McCain administration.

Our Pick for President

Every presidential election cycle, there's a secret wish that the major party nominees will be as equally good on environmental and conservation issues, so forgoing the need to choose one over the other. That is not the case in 2008.

Path To A Greener Congress Focuses On Eight Battleground States

In addition to electing a president that will make the right choices for America, we need to elect enough congressional members to get us to the veto-proof magic numbers of 60 Senators and 261 Representatives who support protecting our waters, our health and our future through strong environmental policies.

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