Hartford, CT – Today, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) congratulates Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-11; Hamden, New Haven, North Haven) on his victory in the 11th State Senate District. CTLCV endorsed Looney for his lifetime of passionate advocacy on behalf of clean water, clean air, and clean energy.
 
“Connecticut voters made it clear the environment is a priority when they reelected Sen. Looney, one of our strongest defenders of our natural resources,” said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. “CTLCV let our members know that Sen. Looney fought hard to ensure the public has a right in how our water is used, and that he has always sought to protect our environment and our future. Under his leadership, the General Assembly passed some of the strictest carbon emission reductions in the nation and doubled Connecticut’s clean energy investment. We look forward to working with the Senator in the next session.”
 
Looney was one of 36 candidates CTLCV endorsed in the 2018 elections. Live updates on the election—including an up-to-the-minute count of CTLCV’s victories--can be found on our website.

Hartford, CT – Today, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) congratulates Matt Lesser (D-9; Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield) on his victory in the 9th State Senate District. CTLCV endorsed Lesser for his long record as a defender of our water, wildlife, and other environmental priorities.
 
“As a State Representative, Matt demonstrated passion and persistence when it came to protecting our environment, and voters rewarded him today,” said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. “Matt’s leadership and tenacity made protections for snapping turtles—a key priority in his district—a reality in this last legislative session. CTLCV was proud to work with him on this and other environmental priorities, and we look forward to continuing this work in the next legislative session.”
 
Lesser was one of 36 candidates CTLCV endorsed in the 2018 elections. Live updates on the election—including an up-to-the-minute count of CTLCV’s victories--can be found on our website.

Hartford, CT – Today, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) congratulates Julie Kushner (D-24; Bethel, Danbury, New Fairfield, Sherman) on her victory in the 24th State Senate District. CTLCV endorsed Kushner because her longtime support for sustainability initiatives stood in sharp contrast to her opponent, incumbent Michael McLachlan.
 
“Julie’s victory today proves that Connecticut voters care about electing leaders who will stand up for the air we breathe and water we drink,” said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. “We made sure to let our members know that McLachlan had an abysmal record on the environment while Julie was a true leader for sustainability at the Blue-Green Alliance. She knows a healthy environment is key to a healthy economy, and her win proves voters agree. We look forward to working with her in the days to come.”
 
Kushner was one of 36 candidates CTLCV endorsed in the 2018 elections. Live updates on the election—including an up-to-the-minute count of CTLCV’s victories--can be found on our website.

Hartford, CT – Today, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) congratulates Rep. Terrie Wood (R-141; Darien, Norwalk) on her victory in the 141st State House District. CTLCV endorsed Wood based on her strong support for land conservation and reducing our reliance on single-use plastic bags.
 
“Rep. Wood knows pollution isn’t a partisan issue, and CTLCV touted her support for the environment to our members,” said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. “Now more than ever we need leaders like Rep. Wood who can work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to reduce pollution and protect our clean air and water. We look forward to continuing to work with her in the upcoming session.”
 
Wood was one of 36 candidates CTLCV endorsed in the 2018 elections. Live updates on the election—including an up-to-the-minute count of CTLCV’s victories--can be found on our website.

Hartford, CT – Today, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) congratulates Rep. Gregg Haddad (D-54; Mansfield) on his victory in the 54th State House District. CTLCV endorsed Haddad because of his strong support for investing in clean energy, reducing our reliance on single-use plastic bags, and protecting Connecticut from fracking waste.
 
“Rep. Haddad has fought hard to protect our access to clean, pure water,” said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. “With the State Water Plan returning to the legislature in 2019, we need Rep. Haddad now more than ever to support our right to have a say in how our water is used. We at CTLCV look forward to working with him in the upcoming session to pass the State Water Plan and protect our environment for generations to come.”
 
Haddad was one of 36 candidates CTLCV endorsed in the 2018 elections. Live updates on the election—including an up-to-the-minute count of CTLCV’s victories--can be found on our website.

Media Contact
Amanda Schoen [email protected] | 860-770-9487
Lori Brown [email protected] | 860-236-5442

Hartford, CT – Today, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) denounced Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski for his lack of knowledge on climate change and his failure to present any plan for addressing its impacts. 
 
“Climate change is a massive threat, and scientists have now said it could cause Long Island Sound to rise twenty inches by 2050 if we don’t act now, but Bob Stefanowski dismissed it as a federal problem,” said Lori Brown, Executive Director of CTLCV. “We know too well Trump and his cronies aren’t interested in taking on climate change. They won’t even admit climate change is real. If that’s the example Bob Stefanowski wants to follow, it will cripple Connecticut and our country.”

Earlier in October, the United Nations issued a report saying the global temperature was increasing at a faster rate than earlier assumed, and drastic action is needed in the next decade to prevent catastrophic rising sea levels, stronger and longer hurricane seasons, global upheaval in agriculture and farming, and other severe consequences.
 
“CTLCV endorsed Ned Lamont for governor because he has a plan to fight climate change,” said Brown. “Ned signed our pledge to move Connecticut to 100% clean energy by 2050, creating jobs and dramatically cutting our emissions. He knows we can’t rely on Trump to steer this ship, we have to protect Connecticut ourselves.”
 
Lamont is the only candidate with a comprehensive energy and environment plan. Stefanowski has no energy plan, and at a forum at Emmanuel Synagogue, said he “doesn’t understand the science of [climate change]” and defers to the federal government.

​Hartford, CT – Today, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) countered a deceptive political mailing released by Melissa Ziobron (R-33). The mailing claims Ziobron will protect Connecticut’s clean water and natural resources, but her votes in this last legislative session show otherwise.
 
“As a State Representative, Melissa Ziobron rejected environmental priorities and showed she’s not interested in fighting climate change or investing in clean energy,” said Lori Brown, Executive Director of CTLCV. “She undermined our ability to combat rising sea levels and voted against allowing climate change to be taught in schools. Rep. Ziobron proved she is far from the environmental champion she once promised to be. Instead, she voted more in-line with the State Senators who were named to our Dirty Dozen in the States list: Craig Miner and Len Suzio.”
 
In 2018, Ziobron took pro-environmental votes just 62% of the time according to CTLCV’s 2018 Environmental Scorecard. She voted against:

• SB 7: An Act Concerning Climate Change Planning and Resiliency (votes cast in the Environment Committee on March 22, 2018)
• SB 345: An Act Concerning Climate Change Education in Connecticut Schools (vote cast in the Environment Committee on March 22, 2018)
• SB 347: An Act Concerning Consent Orders Entered Into By the Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (votes cast in the Environment Committee on March 22, 2018)
• HB 5128: An Act Requiring the Establishment of a Tire Hauler License (vote cast in the Environment Committee on February 28, 2018)

 
Though Ziobron earned CTLCV’s praise in 2017 for her work on the Passport to the Parks, her votes overall on important environmental issues that year were rock-bottom at 37%.  And in this last session her score of 62% proves she is no friend to the environment or anyone concerned about the impact of climate change here in Connecticut.
 
CTLCV has strongly endorsed Ziobron’s opponent, Norm Needleman (D-33), for the open Senate seat.
 
“As First Selectman of Essex, Norm understands the importance of making sure our towns and municipalities can prepare for rising sea levels and the other impacts of climate change,” said Brown. “He knows investing in clean energy will create jobs, bring down costs for ratepayers and homeowners, and help us cut emissions. We need leaders who will stand up to big polluters and special interests. Norm has shown he will be that leader, while Rep. Ziobron caved to special interests every time.”

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​This information is paid for by the CTLCV Political Action Committee. This message was made independent of any candidate or political party. Contributions to the CTLCV PAC of $5,000 or more were made by CTLCV, Inc.; LCV, Inc.; and David Bingham. Additional information about the CTLCV PAC may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission's website (ct.gov/seec).

Hartford, CT – Today, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV)—a bipartisan, statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Connecticut's environment by making it a priority for our elected leaders—endorsed Democratic candidate Ned Lamont for Governor. Lamont is the only candidate who has released a comprehensive environment and clean energy plan, and he has consistently prioritized clean air and water, renewable energy, and protecting public health in his campaign. He is also the only gubernatorial candidate who has signed CTLCV’s “Clean Energy for All” pledge to move Connecticut towards 100% clean energy by 2050 or sooner.
 
“Ned knows investing in clean energy will help us fight climate change and grow jobs in a field already 34,000 strong in Connecticut,” said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. “We’ve made incredible progress towards cutting our emissions and funding solar, offshore wind, and other renewable energy projects. Just this year, we doubled our clean energy investments and cut our emissions in half. But that can all be undone with the wrong leaders at the top. Ned’s shown he is committed to building a brighter future for all of us in Connecticut.”
 
“Climate change is the most critical issue of our generation, and Ned knows we need to act now to avoid catastrophe,” said David Bingham, Co-Chair of the CTLCV Board of Directors. “While his opponent said climate change is a federal problem, Ned knows it’s everyone’s problem, and we can’t afford to kick the can down the road.”
 
When asked about climate change in a recent debate in West Hartford, Republican candidate Bob Stefanowski claimed addressing climate change was better left to the federal government. However, the Trump Administration pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Accords, weakened clean car standards, and gutted the clean power plan.
 
“We can’t rely on Washington to keep our air and water clean or invest in renewable energy,” said Mary Hogue, Co-Chair of the CTLCV Board of Directors. “We need leaders like Ned Lamont to protect us from big polluters. Too many companies put profits above people or the environment. Ned is committed to balancing economic development with the preservation of our precious resources.”
 
Lamont also sent CTLCV a personal statement emphasizing his commitment to our environment. 
 
In addition to Lamont, CTLCV has endorsed 35 bipartisan candidates for the Connecticut General Assembly. Each of these candidates has pledged to champion CTLCV’s key priorities and protect the air we breathe, water we drink, and lands we cherish.  

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This information is paid for by the CTLCV Political Action Committee. This message was made independent of any candidate or political party. Contributions to the CTLCV PAC of $5,000 or more were made by CTLCV, Inc.; LCV, Inc.; and David Bingham. Additional information about the CTLCV PAC may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission's website (ct.gov/seec).

​Hartford, CT – Today, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) named Rep. Jonathan Steinberg (D-136) a “Clean Energy Champion” thanks to his leadership on increasing Connecticut’s investment in renewable energy sources. CTLCV previously endorsed Steinberg thanks to his commitment to key environmental priorities. Earlier this week, the United Nations issued an alarming report urging the need for action on climate change within the next decade. Here in Connecticut, Steinberg is at the forefront of clean energy policy to reduce our carbon footprint while growing our economy.

“Rep. Steinberg knows that clean energy brings jobs to Connecticut, lowers electric rates for homeowners and small businesses, and helps us win the fight to reverse climate change,” said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. “He worked hard to make sure Connecticut doubled its investment in renewable energy, and was one of the first lawmakers to sign our Clean Energy for All pledge, putting Connecticut on the path to 100% clean energy by 2050. With so much at stake in this election, we at CTLCV are doing everything we can to champion lawmakers who put our environment—and our future—first.”
 
“Rep. Steinberg has been—and continues to be—one of the League’s primary partners in advocating for sensible, effective legislation protecting our state’s environment,” said Ken Bernhard, CTLCV Board Member and former State Representative. “With good reason, the Board voted unanimously to endorse his re-election. We hope his constituents will send him back to Hartford.”
 
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This information is paid for by the CTLCV Political Action Committee. This message was made independent of any candidate or political party. Contributions to the CTLCV PAC of $5,000 or more were made by CTLCV, Inc., LCV, Inc., and David Bingham. Additional information about the CTLCV PAC may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission's website (ct.gov/seec).

Hartford, CT – Today, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) endorsed Hugh McKenney (D-37) for the Connecticut General Assembly. McKenney is challenging incumbent Rep. Holly Cheeseman to represent the 37th House District. As a Selectman and former member of the Salem Planning and Zoning Commission, McKenney knows how critical land conservation is to improving property values and quality of life. He fully supports water as a public trust and ensuring people have a say in how this crucial resource is managed. His commitment to the air we breathe and water we drink is in sharp contrast to his opponent, who holds a failing 53% on environmental issues according to CTLCV’s Environmental Scorecard.
 
“Hugh knows firsthand that preserving our parks, trails, farms, and open space is key to attracting residents to our towns and keeping them here for years to come,” said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. “He understands land conservation is good for both our environment and our economy, and he isn’t beholden to special interests or the utilities. When it comes to water, Hugh will fight for the public’s right to have a say in how our streams, rivers, and other resources are managed. We need leaders like Hugh so we can pass our State Water Plan and reaffirm water as a public trust.”
 
To receive CTLCV’s endorsement, candidates must have completed the Survey on the Environment earlier this summer. All candidates running for legislative office were invited to complete the questionnaire, and CTLCV received nearly 120 responses. Endorsements are issued based on a candidate’s responses as well as additional information provided to CTLCV’s Endorsement Committee.

A full list of CTLCV’s endorsements can be found on our website.
 
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This information is paid for by the CTLCV Political Action Committee. This message was made independent of any candidate or political party. Contributions to the CTLCV PAC of $5,000 or more were made by CTLCV, Inc.; LCV, Inc.; and David Bingham. Additional information about the CTLCV PAC may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission's website (ct.gov/seec).