Initiative-2066

Initiative 2066 (I-2066) This initiative would prevent residential and commercial energy efficiency by repealing common sense protections—leaving all of us with higher energy costs of $150 or more in the coming years and making our communities more vulnerable during storms, wildfires, and deadly heat waves. It’s backed by powerful interest groups who want to stop the transition to clean energy and to make as much money as possible while families and businesses pay higher bills and worsening health outcomes. I-2066 would place a major barrier in Washington state’s attempts to reduce carbon emissions.

Vote NO on 2066.

Initiative-2117

Initiative 2117 (I-1227) is a purposely misleading, poorly written initiative opposed by firefighters, small businesses, doctors, and Tribal nations because it will endanger our health and safety and devastate our transportation system. It would repeal WA’s landmark Climate Commitment Act. 2117 is a threat to our air, land and water – putting our health at risk and resulting in more adults and kids suffering with asthma and illness. I-2117 would also jeopardize vital protections for our waterways, mean more toxic pollution in the air we breathe, gut programs that protect our communities from wildfires, and eliminate efforts to support salmon recovery and fish habitat.

Vote NO on I-2117.

Dave Reichert

Dave Reichert (R, Candidate for Governor) – In his career so far and during his campaign to be the next governor of Washington, former Congressman Dave Reichert  has routinely dismissed the need for our state to meaningfully address the climate crisis. In Congress, Reichert aligned with polluters and voted for a bill to gut the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, which put national limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants. In recorded remarks, Reichert rejected the science of human-caused climate change, saying “the guy upstairs” is responsible for it.  He has called climate policy a “religion.” Reichert is also against upholding Washington’s landmark Climate Commitment Act and vows to “pause” its implementation should he become Governor, further threatening our climate goals.

As a U.S. Congressman, he received a 26% score from the League of Conservation Voters for his last year in office, and a 35% lifetime score. Washington Conservation Action has endorsed environmental champion Bob Ferguson for WA Governor.

Jamie Herrera Beutler

Jamie Herrera Beutler (R, Candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands) –  Jamie Herrera Beutler launched her campaign for Commissioner of Public Lands with significant donations from big corporate timber interests. In Congress, she consistently opposed environmental health and voted against $1 billion dollar investment to restore wildlife & plant species. As communities are bearing the effects of climate change she voted against  a disaster relief bill that would provide over $33 billion dollars in relief funds for communities affected by natural disasters like wildfires. She supported Trump’s 2017 decision to leave the Paris Climate Agreement and criticized President Biden’s decision to rejoin it. In 2022, she voted against the Inflation Reduction Act and its landmark investments in clean energy. Herrera Beutler also voted against the Freedom to Vote: John Lewis Act to re-establish and strengthen the protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

As a U.S. Congresswoman, she received a 16% score from the League of Conservation Voters for her last year in office, and a 14% lifetime score. Washington Conservation Action has endorsed environmental champion Dave Upthegrove for Commissioner of Public Lands

Pete Serrano

Pete Serrano (R, Candidate for Attorney General) – Pasco City Councilmember Pete Serrano has spent his career fighting for big polluters and for extreme policies. As a lawyer for big business, Serrano’s firm worked for corporations and polluters to oppose the water regulations of the Clean Water Act. Serrano is also the co-founder and general counsel of an organization that opposes public health mandates and gun safety laws. Serrano even endorses the dangerous myth that the United States is not a democracy, a favorite talking point of the most extreme anti-democracy voices. This alone should be a disqualifying statement for anyone seeking to be Washington’s Attorney General.

Washington Conservation Action has endorsed environmental champion Nick Brown for Attorney General.

Al French

Al French (R, Spokane County Commission, D5) – Longtime Spokane County Commissioner Al French has been a frequent opponent of environmental health and is accused of covering up the poisoning of his own community.  French now faces a recall for attempting to cover up PFAS contamination in West Plains drinking water, putting citizens at risk for needless exposure to toxic “forever chemicals” linked to cancer and a range of other health issues. Newly released documents show French was aware of the possible contamination at the Spokane airport as far back as 2017. French appeared to prevent testing of the site as recently as 2021 to protect the interests of the airport where he is an officer and board member. In the absence of French’s timely defense of his constituents’ health, the Environmental Protection Agency began offering free PFAS testing for residents around the airport this year. French’s campaign is largely funded by corporate developers who oppose energy efficiency improvements. In addition, French opposes the conversion to heat pumps for homes, an important aspect of climate mitigation.

Washington Conservation Action has endorsed environmental champion Molly Marshall for Spokane County Commissioner District 5.

Kelly Chambers

Kelly Chambers (R, Candidate Pierce Co. Executive) – State Representative Kelly Chambers (25^th Dist) is running for Pierce Co. Executive despite a long history of opposing environmental justice. In 2021, she voted against the Heal Environment for All (“HEAL”) Act that directs agencies to reduce the disparities in environmental health. She also voted against Washington’s landmark Climate Commitment Act which has raised more than $2 billion from polluters to invest back into the community. Despite the increasing dangers of wildfires, Chambers voted against a 2024 measure to provide more resources for wildfire response and suppression.  Chambers also voted against a 2024 bill to provide grants for zero-emission school buses that provide relief to school children from growing air pollution.

She received a 0% score from Washington Conservation Action’s most recent legislative scorecard and a 9% lifetime score. Washington Conservation Action has endorsed environmental champion Ryan Mello for Pierce County Executive.

Ron Muzzal

Senator Ron Muzzal (R, 10^th Dist) – Despite being a ranking member on the Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee, Sen. Muzzal has consistently voted against environmental bills in the Senate, receiving a score of 0% from Washington Conservation Action every year since he was appointed in 2019. He voted against the WA’s essential climate law requiring that transportation fuel’s carbon be reduced, dismissing it as “virtue signaling.” Muzzal supports the repeal of the Climate Commitment Act. With two pro-climate House members also representing the 10^th LD, Sen. Muzzal is increasingly out of step with his district and their views on environmental issues. 

He received a 0% score from Washington Conservation Action’s most recent legislative scorecard and a 0% lifetime score. Washington Conservation Action has endorsed environmental champion Janet St. Clair for 10th LD Senator.

Curtis King

Senator Curtis King (R, 14th Dist) – Curtis King has routinely defended oil companies and opposed efforts to make big companies pay for their pollution. After the passage of the Climate Commitment Act, King criticized the “demonizing of oil companies.” He has spoken out against green fuel efforts. While others in the legislature seek to hold corporate polluters responsible and to provide relief for residents choosing sustainable transportation like a sales and use tax exemption for electric bicycles, King proposed a bill to fund roads by putting additional sales taxes on bikes and bike parts.

He received a 0% score from Washington Conservation Action’s most recent legislative scorecard and a 11% lifetime score. Washington Conservation Action has endorsed environmental champion Maria Beltran for 14th LD Senator.

John Ley

John Ley (R, Candidate for 18^th Dist) – Outspoken anti-transit advocate and climate denier John Ley running again for 18^th LD house representative. Ley has made a name for himself for adamantly opposing light rail and bridge repairs in the region. He has made numerous climate denier posts on social media. He champions anti-scientific views by calling climate change a “hoax” and claiming carbon dioxide is not harming the environment. Ley’s disrespect of climate science extends to his disrespect for democracy. He currently faces two counts of felony election fraud charges for falsely claiming residency to run for the 18^th legislative district in 2022.

Washington Conservation Action has endorsed environmental champion John Zingale for 18th LD Representative.

Jesse Young

 Jesse Young (R, Candidate for 26^th Dist) – As a state House representative, Jesse Young was one of the most extreme legislators in the state. He voted against bills promoting cleaner fuels, environmental justice, and the protection of voting rights. Young’s campaign to regain his legislative seat focuses on rolling back common-sense laws that protect communities and the environment against dangerous air pollution. Young was also Washington’s predominant opponent to reproductive choice, sponsoring 13 bills to eliminate access to abortion in Washington. During the pandemic, Young was spotted in Arizona supporting Trump’s election lies and spreading inflammatory COVID-19 disinformation.

He received an 8% score from Washington Conservation Action’s most recent legislative scorecard. Washington Conservation Action has endorsed environmental champion Adison Richards for 26th LD Representative.

Jim Walsh

Representative Jim Walsh (R, 19^th Dist) – Representative Walsh took over as chair of the Washington State Republican Party last year. As a vocal member of the conservative right in the Washington State Legislature, he has rallied against COVID health protections, aggressively opposed environmental safeguards, and denounced a wide range of common-sense policies. In his new role as both a legislator and the head of the state GOP, the party has shifted dramatically to the right. The state GOP’s convention in April received national attention as attendees and party decisions were infused with anti-democracy views and even platforms. Using misinformation tactics, Representative Walsh has led an effort to roll back a wide range of voter-desired policies by championing initiatives before voters this fall. Two of these measures would roll back climate progress. One would repeal the state’s new pollution pricing law, called the Climate Commitment Act. The other would undo years of successful advocacy to reduce climate pollution created by heating residential and commercial buildings.

He received a 0% score from Washington Conservation Action’s most recent legislative scorecard and a 13% lifetime score.