Hartford, CT – The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) is thrilled with the number of victories for CTLCV-endorsed candidates throughout the state this election season. Though federal results are pending, victories at the local level clearly show that Connecticut residents care about the climate crisis and local environmental issues. 52 of CTLCV’s 65 endorsed candidates won their races.
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Two of CTLCV’s endorsed challengers have ousted anti-environmental incumbents: Eleni DeGraw beat incumbent Leslee Hill in House District 17, and Jorge Cabrera was victorious in his rematch with incumbent Senator George Logan in Senate District 17.

Freshmen lawmakers elected in 2018, many of whom CTLCV supported, were in highly competitive races this year. All of them proved to be exceptional leaders on our issues at the Capitol. These top champions have prevailed and will return with even greater conviction in 2021:
●      Christine Cohen - Senate District 12
●      Mary Abrams - Senate District 13
●      Julie Kushner - Senate District 24
●      Alexandra Kasser - Senate District 36
●      Will Haskell - Senate District 26
●      Christine Palm - House District 17
●      Maria Horn - House District 64
●      Ann Hughes - House District 135

Furthermore, all of CTLCV’s long-time champions will be returning to lead the way on issues ranging from pesticides and PFAS, to clean energy and climate change. Senators Gary Winfield and Tony Hwang, and Representatives Geraldo Reyes, Jonathan Steinberg, and Mike Demicco are all committed to advancing progressive and equitable solutions to our state's most pressing environmental concerns.
 
CTLCV’s candidates all had strong environmental platforms and reflect the growing concern among Connecticut residents about the climate crisis and environmental threats, and the urgent need to address these challenges. These victories are a reminder of the importance of local elections as vectors for systemic change. These environmental leaders will bring their enthusiasm and energy to the Connecticut General Assembly to press for creative solutions to problems that plague our state and nation.
 
“Just a few years ago, climate change was a marginal topic in political campaigns. This year, it was a significant topic in many local debates,” said CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown. “It is inspiring to see how many candidates were well-versed in climate change science and a broad array of complex environmental concerns. These victories show that Connecticut residents understand how important these issues are to our lives, our economy, and our future.”
 
CTLCV worked hard in 2018 to get pro-environment candidates elected and worked closely with them to advance clean energy and climate mitigation priorities - many of which had been blocked by anti-environment legislators in prior years. In their first term, ALL of these freshmen champions were fearless in pushing environmental protections forward, and are determined to address climate change in significant ways in 2021.
 
Each of the 52 endorsed winners this year support transitioning Connecticut to a 100% cleaner electric grid, modernizing the state’s recycling programs, and banning toxic PFAS from polluting our water. Their responses to CTLCV’s environmental survey are posted on CTLCV’s elections page.
 
“When pro-environment legislators are elected, they represent the values of their constituents,” said Brown, “As the legislative session begins in 2021, voters can have confidence that climate change and the environment will be mainstream issues.”
 
In addition to researching, interviewing and endorsing candidates, CTLCV’s Independent Expenditure PAC supported these candidates through direct mailers sent to more than 50,000 households in key races. CTLCV also invested in paid digital ads which were seen more than three million times.
 
These efforts contributed to the numerous victories for the environment with more than 80% of CTLCV-endorsed candidates winning their races. CTLCV endorsed more candidates in the 2020 election - almost double - than in any previous year. The rise of endorsements is indicative of the number of candidates who stepped up to run on pro-environment platforms.

CTLCV endorsed many more challengers this election cycle, including Baird Welch-Collins (HD 38), Bryan Anderson (HD 119), Kate Donnely (HD 47), Cate Steel (HD 37) and Paul Honig (HD 76), who all sought to unseat anti-environment entrenched incumbents with abysmal voting records. CTLCV applauds these candidates who helped highlight environmental positions during the campaign and will continue to spotlight climate change deniers at the state legislature.
 
CTLCV’s educational arm (CTLCV Education Fund) conducted a separate non-partisan effort for voter awareness and education that targeted historically underrepresented black and Hispanic communities in Middletown, Waterbury, and Hartford. 
 
CTLCV Education Fund prioritized voter education through direct mailings, digital ads, and volunteer phonebanks in partnership with NAACP’s Youth and College Division. The ads and mailings reached tens of thousands of residents, and the phonebanks resulted in conversations with thousands of first-time voters. More than 675,000 Connecticut residents voted by Absentee Ballot in the 2020 Election, and CTLCV will work with its partners to make sure the expansion becomes permanent.
 
“2020 has been a landmark year in understanding how environmental justice and social justice are one in the same,” said Brown. “Voting is an essential component to our democracy; every voter must be able to vote safely. Voter intimidation and misinformation have no place in a healthy democracy, and CTLCV remains committed to supporting all voters to exercise their right to vote.”
 
A complete list of CTLCV-endorsed victories is available on our Victories page. A complete list of CTLCV-endorsed candidates, direct mailers, and digital ad campaigns can be viewed on CTLCV's website,  and CTLCV’s voter education materials can be viewed on CTLCV Education Fund’s website.

Hartford, CT – The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) has endorsed Christine Palm (D) to represent the 36th House District. Prior to her first term representing the District, she worked for the General Assembly’s Commission on Women, Children, and Seniors, a group that advocates for policies that enhance the safety and economic security of these three under-represented populations. She lives in Chester.​

Christine Palm serves on the Legislature’s Environment Committee and received a 100% rating on CTLCV’s Environmental Scorecard. In her freshman term, 2019, Christine Palm introduced legislation to require climate change education in public schools and to ban commercial seismic surveying and drilling off the Connecticut coastline. Christine Palm also co-sponsored bills that would ban harmful and toxic chemicals, including toxins like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS, which are known carcinogens and have been linked to reproductive and immunological effects, and the pesticide Chlorpyrifos.

“We are thrilled that in her first year at the legislature, Christine Palm earned the designation of CTLCV Environmental Champion,” said CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown. “Her priorities highlight the needs of her District and would broadly benefit the entire State. We need leaders like Christine Palm who listen to science and the residents she represents.”

Christine Palm has advanced climate change as a priority in the legislature and has invested time listening to residents of Chester, Deep River, Essex, and Haddam during her freshman term, and has quickly risen as an unstoppable leader for the environment. She is committed to transitioning to a clean energy economy that will lead to good-paying sustainable jobs for Connecticut’s workforce. She believes in building broad and diverse coalitions to transition to a 100% clean energy economy.

An important priority on her 2021 agenda will be updating Connecticut’s recycling law, known as the Bottle Bill, which will modernize existing deposit programs for beverage containers and further reduce waste and increase recycling efforts in Connecticut.

CTLCV endorsements are based on candidates’ track records on key environmental issues, their responses to a Survey on the Environment, and an extensive interview via Zoom. CTLCV is a bipartisan, statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Connecticut's environment by making it a priority for our elected leaders. We work in concert with Connecticut's environmental advocacy groups to identify and highlight important bills impacting our air, water, wildlife, open space, climate, and our health, and hold legislators accountable for their votes in our annual Environmental Scorecard. 
A complete list of all of the candidates endorsed by CTLCV for the 2020 election can be found on our website.

Hartford, CT – The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) has endorsed Eleni Kavros DeGraw to represent the 17th House District that includes Avon and Canton. She has a long history of civic engagement through local non-profits aimed at improving the lives of residents.​

Eleni DeGraw has shown fierce commitment to providing local resources to residents who want to learn more about electric cars, composting, gardening, and toxic chemicals that threaten waterways. She has been very vocal in response to the June 2019 Farmington River PFAS spill, when thousands of gallons of the toxic chemical threatened Canton residents’ safety. Eleni DeGraw will prioritize banning PFAS and other toxins from entering waterways. 

“Eleni DeGraw has been incredibly involved at the local level, but also sees the big picture for our State, which is exactly what we want in a State Representative,” said CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown. “We want a candidate who will listen to the residents that they represent and work to protect their families from toxins and pollutants.”

Eleni DeGraw’s opponent, Representative Leslee Hill, who currently holds the seat as a freshman, received an embarrassingly low score of 75% on CTLCV’s Scorecard. Hill voted against climate change education in public schools, voted against modernizing Connecticut’s recycling-based Bottle Bill, and voted to weaken Connecticut’s enforcement of environmental laws. 

“The residents of Avon and Canton deserve a stronger leader on these issues to represent them in Hartford, and Eleni DeGraw is that person,” said Brown.

CTLCV endorsements are based on candidates’ track records on key environmental issues, their responses to a Survey on the Environment, and an extensive interview via Zoom. CTLCV is a bipartisan, statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Connecticut's environment by making it a priority for our elected leaders. We work in concert with Connecticut's environmental advocacy groups to identify and highlight important bills impacting our air, water, wildlife, open space, climate, and our health, and hold legislators accountable for their votes in our annual Environmental Scorecard. 
A complete list of all of the candidates endorsed by CTLCV for the 2020 election can be found on our website.

 Hartford, CT – The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) has endorsed Julie Kushner to represent the 24th Senate District. A retired trade unionist, she lives in Danbury and currently represents the 24th District. ​

Julie Kushner received a 96% on CTLCV’s Environmental Scorecard and serves as Vice-Chair of the Environment Committee. She is a longtime supporter of sustainability initiatives and is a powerful voice for clean energy and creating thousands of new Green jobs.

“Julie Kushner has been an advocate for workers for her entire career,” said CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown. “She understands the challenges that they face, and she is committed to creating thousands of new Green jobs to help both workers and Connecticut’s clean energy future.”
As Senate Chair of the Labor Committee and Vice Chair of the Environment Committee, Julie Kushner is uniquely positioned to see how greater investment in clean energy will lead to good-paying sustainable jobs for Connecticut’s workforce. She is a trustworthy leader for environmental justice and believes in building coalitions of people with shared values to strengthen a blue-green alliance across Connecticut.
In other key areas, Julie Kushner is fighting for laws that protect our environment. She has generated new funding to clean up invasive species in Candlewood Lake, has secured funding to monitor air quality impacts of Cricket Valley Power Plant, and she fought successfully for the ban on single use plastic bags.

“Residents in Bethel, Danbury, New Fairfield, and Sherman have seen what Julie Kushner stands for and what a strong leader she has been in her freshman term to benefit the 24th District,” said Brown.  “We need her back at the Capitol where she can keep working on issues that matter to everyone across the State.”

CTLCV endorsements are based on candidates’ track records on key environmental issues, their responses to a Survey on the Environment, and an extensive interview via Zoom. CTLCV is a bipartisan, statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Connecticut's environment by making it a priority for our elected leaders. We work in concert with Connecticut's environmental advocacy groups to identify and highlight important bills impacting our air, water, wildlife, open space, climate, and our health, and hold legislators accountable for their votes in our annual Environmental Scorecard. 
A complete list of all of the candidates endorsed by CTLCV for the 2020 election can be found on our website.

 Hartford, CT – The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) has endorsed Christine Cohen (D) to represent the 12th Senate District. She owns a local business, Cohen’s Bagel Company in Madison, and lives in Guilford. She currently represents the District.

In her 2019 freshman term, Christine Cohen was appointed Chair of the Environment Committee. She immediately adopted ambitious action to pass a Statewide ban on single-use plastic bags. Despite fierce opposition against the plastic bag ban, Christine Cohen was instrumental in the legislation passing and going into effect last year. She has also fought to advance environmental justice legislation and update the State’s Transfer Act to clean up polluted sites. Christine Cohen has demonstrated a strong pro-environment voting record, earning 96% on CTLCV’s Environmental Scorecard.
“When we endorsed Christine Cohen in 2018, we knew she’d be an environmental leader,” said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. “What we didn’t know is how fully she’d embrace her role as Chair of the Environment Committee, and how critical her leadership would be in passing the plastic bag ban. The legislation has resulted in an 80% reduction of single-use plastic bags, which use fossil fuel to be created and often end up in waterways and as litter. She has earned CTLCV’s endorsement because she has quickly become one of the strongest advocates for environmental legislation in Connecticut.”

An important priority on her 2021 agenda will be updating Connecticut’s recycling law, known as the Bottle Bill, which will modernize existing deposit programs for beverage containers and further reduce waste and increase recycling efforts in Connecticut. Christine Cohen has been an ally to CTLCV, and her continued work will be critical for environmental protection Statewide, particularly in the 12th District towns of Branford, North Branford, Durham, Guilford, Killingworth, and Madison.
CTLCV endorsements are based on candidates’ track records on key environmental issues, their responses to a Survey on the Environment, and an extensive interview via Zoom. CTLCV is a bipartisan, statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Connecticut's environment by making it a priority for our elected leaders. We work in concert with Connecticut's environmental advocacy groups to identify and highlight important bills impacting our air, water, wildlife, open space, climate, and our health, and hold legislators accountable for their votes in our annual Environmental Scorecard. 

A complete list of all of the candidates endorsed by CTLCV for the 2020 election can be found on our website.

Hartford, CT – The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) has endorsed Maria Horn (D) to represent the 64th House District. A resident of Salisbury, Maria Horn is an accomplished lawyer who has represented the District since 2018. She earned a 97% score on CTLCV’s Environmental Scorecard and is a member of the Legislature’s Environment Committee.​

In her freshman term, 2019, Maria Horn listened to residents’ concerns about the loss of open spaces and farmland to development. In response, she worked on legislation (SB 1063) to create a task force to improve farmland availability for first-time farmers. Maria has fought hard to protect Community Investment Act Funds, which significantly supports dairy farms and open space. Earlier this year, Maria initiated legislation (HB 5345) to decrease the amount of time it takes to preserve our State’s most valuable farmland from development. 

Residents of Connecticut’s northwest corner have seen increasing threats to rivers and lakes throughout the District, from drought to polluted runoff.  Maria Horn is invested in protecting water and residents from harmful toxins, like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS. PFAS are known carcinogens and have been linked to reproductive and immunological effects. Maria Horn is determined to better regulate these chemicals in Connecticut to provide a safe, healthy environment that people deserve.

When residents expressed concern over potential air quality issues with the construction of New York’s Cricket Valley power plant, Maria Horn pushed legislation to provide air quality monitoring in towns throughout her District. Through her effort, funding was possible for municipalities to gather baseline air quality data prior to the power plant opening. She has demonstrated a commitment to protect the communities in her district against out-of-state pollutants.

Maria Horn has worked tirelessly on revising the Bottle Bill, which will upgrade the existing deposit program for beverage containers and further reduce waste and increase recycling efforts in Connecticut. Starting in the 2019 Legislative Session, Maria has supported efforts to advance the Bottle Bill, and proponents are counting on her to continue this important work in the 2021 Legislative Session.

“Maria Horn has listened to the people she represents and has shown a solid commitment to environmental concerns,” said CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown. “Her work to advance environmental legislation at the Capitol is giving residents in her District better protections for its natural resources and against pollutants. Her re-election will continue to benefit her District.”

CTLCV endorsements are based on candidates’ track records on key environmental issues, their responses to a Survey on the Environment, and an extensive interview via Zoom. CTLCV is a bipartisan, statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Connecticut's environment by making it a priority for our elected leaders. We work in concert with Connecticut's environmental advocacy groups to identify and highlight important bills impacting our air, water, wildlife, open space, climate, and our health, and hold legislators accountable for their votes in our annual Environmental Scorecard. 

A complete list of all of the candidates endorsed by CTLCV for the 2020 election can be found on our website.

 Hartford, CT – The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) has endorsed Mary Daugherty Abrams (D) to represent the 13th Senate District. A resident of Meriden and former schoolteacher and administrator, Mary Abrams has represented the District since 2018. ​

CTLCV supported Abrams in her successful bid for election in 2018 because of her pro-environment commitment. In keeping with her promises and the values of her constituents, she earned a perfect 100% rating on CTLCV’s 2019 Environmental Scorecard and was named as one of CTLCV’s Environmental Champions. 
As Senate Co-Chair of the Public Health Committee, Mary Abrams has focused on high quality water supply, leading the charge against water contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. PFAS are known to cause cancer and have been linked to reproductive and immunological effects.  After the disastrous spill of thousands of gallons of PFAS in the Farmington River last summer, Mary Abrams is determined to better regulate PFAS in Connecticut to protect public health and our environment.

Her opponent, whom she defeated in 2018, has repeatedly voted against environmental and public health initiatives, and was listed as one of the national League of Conservation Voter’s 2018 Dirty Dozen, a group of legislators who actively work against environmental legislation. He received the lowest score out of all of the legislators in Connecticut – a horrendous 46% - on the CTLCV 2018 Environmental Scorecard.

In her freshman term, Mary Abrams led the charge on the passage of the State Water Plan, which was designed to balance the use of water to meet the needs of all residents. The State Water Plan reaffirms that water is a resource in the Public Trust to be conserved and benefit the public, not just treated as a corporate asset.

“Mary’s commitment to the State Water Plan exceeded our expectations,” said CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown. “She was a driving force to get the Plan adopted and we need her in the legislature to create the policies that give the Plan the strength and structure it will need to be a force for environmental protection.

The 13th Senate District, which includes Cheshire, Meriden, Middletown, Middlefield, and Rockfall, faces water quality challenges that could worsen if not addressed.
CTLCV endorsements are based on candidates’ track records on key environmental issues, their responses to a Survey on the Environment, and an extensive interview via Zoom. CTLCV is a bipartisan, statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Connecticut's environment by making it a priority for our elected leaders. We work in concert with Connecticut's environmental advocacy groups to identify and highlight important bills impacting our air, water, wildlife, open space, climate, and our health, and hold legislators accountable for their votes in our annual Environmental Scorecard. 

A complete list of all of the candidates endorsed by CTLCV for the 2020 election can be found on our website.

Hartford, CT – The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) has endorsed Baird Welch-Collins (D) to represent the 38th House District. A third-generation resident of Waterford, he has been passionately involved in local environmental politics. ​

Through a variety of responsibilities serving the Waterford town government, he demonstrated leadership on environmental priorities. He most recently served on the Waterford Flood and Erosion Control Board, where he took action on the pollutants threatening the streams and rivers in the region. While serving, he initiated legislation to ban fracking waste and galvanized support for a local single-use plastic bag ban.
“Baird has already shown powerful leadership at the local level, where he fought for a municipal ban on both single-use plastic bags and on fracking waste,” said CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown. “Baird has shown ongoing support for open space and land conservation. He has been a strong advocate for a clean energy economy and for sustainable development. He leads by example and is certain to become a champion for Connecticut’s families and the environment.”

Baird Welch-Collins has a record for prioritizing open spaces and aims to protect the green spaces in the District. He is passionate about sustainable land management, updating our outdated transportation system, and adopting the best land use practices. 
He understands the important role that Millstone Power Plant has played in the District, and he wants to take an active role representing the District as the future of the plant is discussed. He understands how complex the future of the plant can be, and he wants to be at the table to represent the residents in his District to guarantee that their voices are heard. He is committed to transitioning to a Green energy economy, which will create thousands of new jobs. He also recognizes the threats that Southeastern Connecticut’s waterways face with pollutants and toxins, and his commitment to protecting drinking water runs deep. Many residents in Montville and Waterford have already seen Baird Welch-Collins’ leadership at the local level, and know he will be a highly capable Representative for the District’s unique needs.

“Baird Welch-Collins has served as a strong voice for neighbors in his District,” said Brown. “He understands the challenges that they face, and he is committed to creating thousands of new Green jobs to help both workers and Connecticut’s clean energy future. Baird is passionate about serving his community, and he will make an excellent Representative. The District deserves a strong leader like him.”

CTLCV endorsements are based on candidates’ track records on key environmental issues, their responses to a Survey on the Environment, and an extensive interview via Zoom. CTLCV is a bipartisan, statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Connecticut's environment by making it a priority for our elected leaders. We work in concert with Connecticut's environmental advocacy groups to identify and highlight important bills impacting our air, water, wildlife, open space, climate, and our health, and hold legislators accountable for their votes in our annual Environmental Scorecard. 

A complete list of all of the candidates endorsed by CTLCV for the 2020 election can be found on our website.