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RICHMOND, VA -- The Virginia League of Conservation Voters (VALCV) kicked off its election season drive to seat a more environmentally friendly legislature by announcing its final round of endorsements. The endorsements are below, and more details are at http://www.ConservationMajorityVa.org.
The group has a track record of backing winners who get results for protecting Virginia’s environment. Three-quarters of VALCV-endorsed candidates won their races in 2005 and over 80 percent won in 2003.
"Virginia voters want a better environment and the candidates we are endorsing have committed to that goal,” said Lisa M. Guthrie, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters (VALCV), whose Board of Directors voted on the endorsements. "These endorsements will make clear to voters which candidates have committed to improve Virginia’s environment.”
The candidates hail from both political parties and every part of the Commonwealth. To earn the endorsement in House of Delegate and Senate races, candidates were evaluated based on a combination of their voting records (for incumbents), their responses to a candidate questionnaire, personal interviews, and campaign viability. The endorsements play a large role in determining where VALCV will target its political action committee (PAC) dollars. A copy of the candidate questionnaire can be found at http://www.ConservationMajorityVA.org.
Among the issues VALCV posed to candidates on the questionnaire were: connecting land use and transportation, encouraging greater local decision making in managing growth, boosting mass transit, protecting natural spaces and working farms, improving solid waste management and recycling, removing pollution from the Chesapeake, boosting renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency, and scenic beautification.
VALCV cites strong public support for its agenda that they say will translate into electoral victory. A recent statewide poll shows widespread support for improved conservation measures related to climate change, transportation and growth, and land conservation at the forefront of voters’ minds approaching the November elections.
In June, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters – Education Fund commissioned a bipartisan independent poll of Virginia voters. The poll showed majorities of over 60 percent expressed support for more state involvement in global warming, cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay; and rating a candidate’s view on sprawl and growth as key to their vote. The full poll and other resources can be found at http://www.ConservationMajorityVA.org.
VALCV says the Virginia legislature has been steadily moving toward improved conservation policies in recent years. In the group’s annual scorecard, which ranks lawmakers based on environmental votes, 79 delegates and six state senators saw their VALCV scores improve from 2006 to 2007. The number of legislators getting perfect scores of 100 percent has also been on the rise; from three in 2005, to eight in 2006, to 10 this year.
The number of lawmakers scoring highly has also increased. Fifty-four legislators scored between 75 and 99 percent on this year’s scorecard, more than twice the number in 2005.
VALCV is the statewide nonpartisan political action arm of Virginia's conservation community. VALCV is the only organization dedicated solely to legislative advocacy and direct political action on behalf of the conservation issues defined by local, regional, and state organizations. For more information please visit http://www.ConservationMajorityVA.org.
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VALCV Endorsements 2007
House District Candidate Home
7 Nutter, David* Christiansburg
13 Marshall, Bob* Manassas
17 Fralin, William* Roanoke
21 Mathieson, Robert Virginia Beach
33 May, Joe* Leesburg
34 Vanderhye, Margaret McLean
36 Plum, Kenneth R. “Ken” * Reston
37 Bulova, David* Fairfax
39 Watts, Vivian E.* Annandale
43 Sickles, Mark D.* Fairfax
45 Englin, David* Alexandria
46 Moran, Brian* Alexandria
47 Eisenberg, Albert C.* Arlington
48 Brink, Robert H. * Arlington
49 Ebbin, Adam P.* Arlington
52 Frederick, Jeff* Woodbridge
57 Toscano, David* Charlottesville
59 Abbitt, Watkins* Appomattax
67 Caputo, Chuck* Chantilly
71 McClellan, Jennifer* Richmond
82 MacIver, Bob Virginia Beach
83 Bouchard, Joseph Virginia Beach
88 Cole, Mark* Fredericksburg
92 Ward, Jeion* Hampton
95 BaCote, Mamye* Newport News
96 Farlow, Troy Yorktown
99 Wittman, Rob* Montross
100 Lewis, Lynwood* Accomack Senate District Candidate Home
2 Locke, Mamie* Hampton
6 Northam, Ralph Norfolk
9 McEachin, Donald Richmond
16 Marsh, Henry* Richmond
17 Houck, Edd* Spotsylvania
20 Reynolds, Roscoe* Martinsville
22 Breiner, Michael Roanoke
25 Deeds, Creigh* Charlottesville
28 Albert Pollard Mollusk
30 Ticer, Patsy* Alexandria
31 Whipple, Mary Margaret* Arlington
32 Howell, Janet* Reston
33 Herring, Mark* Leesburg
34 Petersen, Chap Fairfax
37 Oleszek, Janet Burke
39 Barker, George Clifton For information on district locations, voting places and names on the ballot visit http://www.sbe.state.va.us. Election day is Tuesday, November 6. *Incumbent |
