FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2019
Contact: Ed Potosnak
O: (609) 331-9922
C: (732) 991-7574
Leading Political Environmental Group Endorses in New Jersey General Assembly Elections
TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (NJLCV), the leading political voice for the environment in New Jersey, announced its third round of endorsements for the 2019 New Jersey General Assembly Elections today.
“We are excited to announce the third round of our 2019 endorsements for Assembly,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey LCV. “These endorsees are environmentally trustworthy candidates who can be counted on to fight for healthy communities, good local jobs in the clean energy economy, and to preserve New Jersey’s natural resources and heritage.”
New Jersey LCV endorsed the following candidates for Assembly in this third round:
- Assemblymen Vincent Mazzeo and John Armato in District 2
- Assemblyman Herb Conaway and Assemblywoman Carol Murphy in District 7
- Assemblymen Ronald Dancer and Robert Clifton in District 12
- Assemblyman Joseph Danielsen in District 17
- Assemblyman Craig Coughlin in District 19
- Assemblyman Jamel Holley in District 20
- Assemblywoman Linda Carter in District 22
- Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti in District 31
- Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson in District 37
- Gerald Falotico and John Birkner in District 39
New Jersey LCV is a nonpartisan organization whose mission is to elect environmental advocates, and is the only New Jersey environmental group with a Political Action Committee (PAC) and a Super PAC. Their third round of endorsements includes thirteen environmental leaders who are incumbents and two challengers.
In District 2, New Jersey LCV endorsed Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo for re-election. “The New Jersey LCV is one of the strongest environmental advocates in New Jersey and I'm grateful to have earned their support. We have made great strides in the last two years and I'm particularly proud of my bill that paved the way for a plan to build wind turbines off the coast of Atlantic City. It's proof that you can create green energy and combat climate change while growing the local economy," said Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo. "There's still much to be accomplished and I'm looking forward to working with New Jersey LCV in the future to build on our recent successes."
Mazzeo’s running mate, Assemblyman John Armato is also endorsed by New Jersey LCV in District 2 and added, “I'm honored to receive the New Jersey LCV endorsement and the distinction that it represents. Ensuring that Atlantic County families have access to clean water, clean air, and preserving open space has always been my priority in the Assembly."
Receiving New Jersey LCV’s endorsement in District 7, Assemblywoman Carol Murphy remarked, “I'm so thankful and excited to receive the endorsement of New Jersey LCV. Environmental issues, particularly climate change, are something officials at every level of government must take seriously. I am fully committed to making the protection and preservation of our natural environment a priority in my legislative agenda, and look forward to working with experts in the field to draft legislation tackling these issues in a substantive way."
Also endorsed in District 7, Assemblyman Herb Conaway responded by saying “I am honored to have been endorsed by New Jersey LCV. As a physician, I know how important environmental factors are to personal health. That is why I have fought in the legislature for cleaner water, renewable energy, agriculture, and more. I look forward to working with New Jersey LCV to provide a healthier future for our residents and our environment.”
Assemblyman Dancer, in regards to his endorsement in District 12 stated, “The New Jersey LCV is a great partner and advocate for the environment. Their process for endorsement is transparent, and the staff and board are always willing to have a discussion on controversial matters. I appreciate their support and endorsement, and enjoyed working together over the years.”
Dancer’s running mate Robert Clifton was also endorsed in District 12 and said, “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the New Jersey LCV and look forward to continuing to advocate and support legislation in Trenton for the health of our communities, through strong environmental policies.”
The third round of New Jersey LCV endorsements continued in District 17 with Assemblyman Joseph Danielsen who responded to the endorsement saying "“I am extremely gratified and honored to receive the endorsement by New Jersey LCV. We have only one planet and it is all our responsibility to be good stewards in maintaining it from global crisis. I am proud to work with the New Jersey LCV in this effort.”
Assemblyman Jamel Holley commented on his endorsement in District 20 saying, “It is an honor to receive the endorsement of the New Jersey LCV. I cannot thank them enough for their belief in my representation and stance on the issues that matter most to the constituents of this great state. I am truly humbled and will continue to play my part in the fight for environmental justice."
Assemblywoman Linda Carter was endorsed again in District 22 by New Jersey LCV. She responded by saying, “It thrills me that an organization like New Jersey LCV has endorsed my candidacy, which is so consistent with my personal beliefs regarding the environment.”
In District 37 Assembly members Gordon Johnson and Valerie Vainieri Huttle both received an endorsement. “It is an honor to be endorsed by New Jersey LCV,” the assemblywoman said. “Now, more than ever, we need to stand up for policies and initiatives that will protect our environment. There is no more time to lose, change will only come by electing representatives who prioritize what is right. I am proud to work with New Jersey LCV and look forward to a greener, healthier future for New Jersey.”
Assemblyman Johnson also commented on the endorsement, “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the New Jersey LCV. I am proud to stand with them to protect New Jersey’s natural resources and work with them at the state level to address climate change. I look forward to building on legislative efforts to expand the use of hydrogen fuel cells, bolster offshore wind power generation, and promoting zero-emission vehicles.”
The third round of New Jersey LCV endorsed ended in District 39 with challengers Gerald Falotico and John Birkner. “As a father of three, I believe we all have a profound responsibility to care for the environment that our children and grandchildren will inherit,” said Mr. Falotico. “That's why I am both proud and grateful to accept the endorsement of the New Jersey LCV. I look forward to supporting policies in the Assembly that will both safeguard our environment and help make New Jersey a leader in innovation and jobs creation in emerging sectors like renewable energy and energy efficiency."
Falotico’s running mate John Birkner responded to the endorsement saying, “As Mayor of Westwood some of my proudest achievements have been in the area of environmental protection -- turning an old landfill into a park, replacing a sewer line that was leaking into our drinking water supply, mitigating flooding, and helping create an innovative cooking oil to bio-diesel recycling program. One of the reasons I'm running for Assembly is I believe the 39th district deserves better than our current Assembly members, who have consistently voted against environmental protections and renewable energy. I gratefully and proudly accept the endorsement of New Jersey LCV and look forward to working in the Assembly to build a brighter, more sustainable future for our citizens, our workforce, and most of all, our children and grandchildren."
New Jersey LCV was the first environmental organization to endorse Phil Murphy for Governor, four months before the gubernatorial primary. The group ran an extensive paid voter education and turnout effort to educate the state about Phil Murphy’s pro-environmental agenda. In the 2017 election cycle, the group’s PAC and Super PAC spent over $400,000 on endorsed candidates including gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy, a record-shattering amount by an environmental organization in New Jersey and the most of any non-labor issue organizations.
A full list of these first-round endorsements can be found here including biographies of the endorsees. A full list of past endorsements can be found here.
New Jersey League of Conservation Voters is a non-partisan organization whose mission is to elect environmental champions, hold public officials accountable, and support laws which protect our environment and improve the quality of people’s lives.
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