News from the Democratic Environmental Network

August 5, 2024

Report: From the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party

Greetings from the home state of Kamala Harris! Kamala's values are our values. As San Francisco's trailblazing district attorney, she opened the office's first environmental crimes unit. As Attorney General, she spoke out decisively on environmental issues such as San Diego's effort to pass off a freeway widening plan as pro-transit (she saw right through that one) and Chevron's effort to expand its toxic refinery operations in a low income community of color. She even sued the Obama administration over its plans to frack offshore California. She cast the deciding, tie-breaking vote for the Inflation Reduction Act. Within the Biden administration, she's been touring college campuses hearing from students concerned about the climate crisis, and she was the highest ranking Biden administration official to attend the COP 28 in Dubai. Now, California is united behind our favorite daughter!

The road to retaking the House of Representatives runs through California. Our House candidates in critical races reflect California's environmental values along with a commitment to democracy. From Jessica Morse in wildfire country in rural northern California to Dave Min's work protecting our legendary coastline from offshore oil to Will Rollins' commitment to securing water for his desert community, California Democrats will fight for a better world for all of us.

Contact or Join the Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party here.

June 20, 2024

Report: From the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida

Following the conclusion of the qualifying period in Florida last week, Nikki Fried, Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, proclaimed, “Democrats made history today by contesting every seat in both chambers of the legislature.” Delivering a Democratic full slate is something not achieved in Florida since at least the 1990 election.

Above and beyond the traditional work of state Party staff, this sweeping achievement reflects the tireless work of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida, 90for90.org, Blue Florida PAC, Southwest Strategies, and other allied groups and individuals. Together they secured the candidacy of 56 of the 140 contenders in this year’s State House and Senate elections. The team also raised more than $65,000 in contributions to the campaign accounts off the candidates.

The group of 56 recruited candidates is approximately the same as the number of districts in which Florida Democrats fielded no candidates in the 2022 election. The Environmental Caucus recruited approximately 23 of the 56 candidates and assisted the recruitment and qualifying of others. The Caucus also recruited one of its former chapter presidents to serve as the Democratic candidate in a previously uncontested US House district. Seven other Caucus county chapter officers are among the group of Florida Legislature candidates.

Almost all of the 56 candidates are running in very red districts. However, their campaigns will boost Democratic turnout in support of President Biden and the Democratic candidate seeking to defeat US Senator Rick Scott. Their campaigns will also lock down Republican time and money that could be used by Trump in other states.

Retaining the 51-49 Democratic majority in the US Senate means that Democrats must defend 22 Senate seats on the 2024 ballot and we must also capture one red state Senate seat to replace the loss of Joe Machin in West Virginia. Texas and Florida are our best shots at flipping a red Senate seat. Running a statewide full slate in Florida is one key element in the plans to defeat Rick Scott while also reelecting Biden/Harris.

Contact or join the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida here.