Author: collin

  • National Environmental Groups Endorse Randy Villegas for Congress in California’s 22nd District

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Randy Villegas for Congress in California’s 22nd District

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Contact:
    Collin Rees, collin [at] priceofoil.org

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Randy Villegas for Congress in California’s 22nd District

    Villegas is the climate champion in this race

    National environmental groups Oil Change Action, Food & Water Action, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, GrayPAC, and Climate Hawks Vote are endorsing Randy Villegas for California’s 22nd Congressional District ahead of the June 2nd primary election. 

    Villegas has made clear he is the best candidate to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. David Valadao in this newly drawn Central Valley district, which is on the frontlines of environmental justice. Villegas has taken unabashedly strong positions in support of working people. As a school board trustee, he has protected children in his community from toxic chemicals by banning the use of RoundUp on school property. Randy Villegas is also the strongest fundraiser in the Democratic field, having raised over $1 million while refusing contributions from corporate political action committees (PACs).

    Collin Rees, Campaigns Manager at Oil Change Action, said:
    “Randy Villegas will fight for California Central Valley working families in Congress. He’s running to protect farmworkers from extreme heat, hold corporate polluters accountable for the harm they inflict on families’ health, and stop Trump’s attacks on California’s public lands. The Central Valley deserves a representative who will put people over polluters – that’s Randy and we are proud to endorse him.”

    Sam Bernhardt, Political Director at Food & Water Action, said:
    “Randy Villegas is the best choice for California’s 22nd Congressional District. He is a strong progressive fighting for Central Valley families and has committed to fighting for a moratorium on the data centers that are driving up electricity costs for California families. We’re proud to endorse him.”

    Rachel Rillee, Deputy Political Director at the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, said:
    “The Central Valley is the agricultural heart of the West Coast, but its communities have too often paid the price for pesticide exposure, pollution, and corporate neglect. The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund is proud to endorse Randy Villegas for California’s 22nd District. Villegas has fought to protect his community from harmful pesticides and pollution, and he is the only candidate in this race refusing money from Big Ag and the fossil fuel industry. California needs a bold champion for working families, clean air and water, and a healthier future for the Central Valley.”

    RL Miller, political director at Climate Hawks Vote, said:
    “The contrast between Randy Villegas and his oil-funded opponents couldn’t be clearer. Randy is best positioned to win his primary because of the huge swell of grassroots support he’s mustered. The Central Valley needs a fighter. We’re proud to stand with Randy.”

    Mike Johnson, Democracy Campaigns Manager at GrayPAC, said:
    “Randy Villegas understands that building robust, resilient communities in California’s Central Valley takes a leader who listens, then leads on the issues that matter to families, not corporate donors.”

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  • National Environmental Groups Endorse Chris Espinosa for Congress in California’s 26th District

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Chris Espinosa for Congress in California’s 26th District

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Contact:
    Collin Rees, collin [at] priceofoil.org

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Chris Espinosa for Congress in California’s 26th District

    Espinosa brings deep experience fighting for environmental justice

    National environmental groups Oil Change Action, Friends of the Earth Action, Climate Hawks Vote, and Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund have endorsed Chris Espinosa for California’s 26th Congressional District ahead of the June 2 primary election.

    A fourth-generation Californian, Espinosa has dedicated his career to fighting for civil rights, workers’ rights, healthcare, and environmental justice. With Earthjustice’s Clean Water team, he saw firsthand how the Flint, Michigan, water crisis devastated marginalized communities. As a senior staff member in Congress, he helped advance some of the most comprehensive and inclusive environmental justice legislation ever proposed. As a co-founder of GreenLatinos, Espinosa co-created a space to bring together Latino leaders to secure “political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.” 

    Espinosa understands environmental challenges and the clear and present danger they present to our communities. California’s 26th Congressional District overlaps with Ventura County, the fastest-warming county in the continental United States. The area has been hit hard by devastating wildfires, including the Thomas and Woolsey Fires.

    As a member of Congress, Espinosa will support a moratorium on artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and hold polluters accountable through federal legislation. He will work to clean up local toxic sites like Santa Susana Field Lab and Halaco, and he plans to aggressively fight Trump’s efforts to drill for oil off the Ventura County shoreline.

    Collin Rees, Campaigns Manager at Oil Change Action, said: 

    “Chris Espinosa has dedicated his life to pursuing environmental justice. The communities of the 26th District deserve a proven fighter in Congress who will stand by their side as the district is ravaged by deadly climate impacts. Chris is that fighter. He will hold fossil fuel companies and their enablers accountable in California and beyond, and we are proud to endorse him.”

    RL Miller, political director at Climate Hawks Vote, said: 

    “As a Ventura County resident and Woolsey fire survivor, I’m thrilled to endorse Chris Espinosa and I’ll be honored to cast a vote for him. This county is the poster child for climate change, with sea level rise at one end and extreme heat at the other. We need a fighter who will hold accountable the polluters who are wreaking havoc on my home.”

    Ariel Moger, Director of Public Affairs at Friends of the Earth Action, said: 

    “Chris Espinosa is the real deal – a proven environmental justice champion and genuine advocate for his community. For years, Friends of the Earth Action has partnered with Espinosa to defend and strengthen our bedrock environmental laws that ensure everyone has access to clean air, clean water, and input into federal decision-making. That’s why we’re elated to endorse Chris Espinosa for Congress. We know Espinosa will continue to fight for people over corporate interests in Washington DC and we urge the voters of California’s 26th Congressional district to support him.”

    Rachel Rilee, Deputy Political Director at the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, said: 

    “From the Santa Monica Mountains to the beaches of the Channel Islands, California’s 26th District deserves a leader strong enough to protect the coast, parks and public lands that define it. Chris Espinosa is a bold progressive and a proven environmental champion who’ll fight for the urgent action this moment demands. He understands that our public lands, waters, wildlife and communities are all connected, and he’ll push for progressive policies that protect our environment and our future.”

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  • National Environmental Groups Endorse Chris Rabb for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 3rd District

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Chris Rabb for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 3rd District

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Contact:
    Collin Rees, collin [at] priceofoil.org

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Chris Rabb for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 3rd District

    Rep. Rabb is the climate champion in this race

    National environmental groups Oil Change Action, Food & Water Action, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Climate Hawks Vote, and Friends of the Earth Action are endorsing State Representative Chris Rabb for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District ahead of the May 19th primary election. 

    As a State Representative in Harrisburg, Rabb has been a climate leader, founding the Pennsylvania legislature’s Climate Caucus and recently advocating for a halt to data center expansion. As a member of Congress, Rabb would hold polluters accountable through federal legislation like the Make Polluters Pay Act that would force fossil fuel companies to pay for their climate-related damages. 

    Collin Rees, Campaigns Manager at Oil Change Action, said: 

    “Representative Chris Rabb has been a leader on climate and environmental justice for years, and he will be a strong champion on these issues in Congress. He understands what it means to fight alongside frontline communities bearing the brunt of the fossil fuel industry’s pollution in Pennsylvania and he’s willing to stand up to the corporations hurting people and the planet. We are proud to endorse Rabb for Congress.”

    Sam Bernhardt, Political Director at Food & Water Action, said: 

    “Representative Rabb is among our strongest allies in Harrisburg. His advocacy against fracking and for climate solutions has been sorely needed in the state legislature, but it is even more necessary in Congress. We’re excited to help him win this election.” 

    Stephanie Kurose, Northeast Political Director at the Center Action Fund, said: 

    “Pennsylvanians deserve a champion in Congress who will stand up to corporate polluters and fight for a livable future. Chris Raab has spent his career challenging entrenched power and fighting for communities that too often bear the brunt of toxic pollution. He’s exactly the kind of fearless advocate we need in Washington, and we’re proud to endorse him.”

    RL Miller, political director at Climate Hawks Vote, said: 

    “Chris Rabb has a strong track record of speaking out for his community as an environmental justice champion. Now more than ever, we need his leadership in the transition to a clean energy economy.” 

    Ariel Moger, Director of Public Affairs for Friends of the Earth Action, said: 

    “Friends of the Earth Action is proud to endorse Chris Raab. He is the kind of courageous champion Congress needs: a leader who fights for people and speaks truth to power. As a bold progressive, he has a track record rooted in environmental justice and a deep commitment to democracy. We strongly urge voters in Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional district to support Raab and his community-centered campaign.” 

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  • National Environmental Groups Endorse Analilia Mejía for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Analilia Mejía for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Contact: 
    Collin Rees, collin [at] priceofoil.org

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Analilia Mejía for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District

    Move Signals Consolidation around Special Primary Winner

    National environmental groups Oil Change Action, Food & Water Action, Climate Hawks Vote, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, and GrayPAC are endorsing Analilia Mejía in all elections this year in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. 

    Mejía won the Democratic nomination by campaigning on a progressive environmental platform including stopping the costly data center buildout, improving New Jersey’s public transportation infrastructure, and holding polluters accountable with legislation like the Make Polluters Pay act. 

    Mejía won the February 4 special primary election to nab the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, advancing to the April 16 special election against Republican Joe Hathaway. Mejía is the prohibitive favorite to win and serve out the remainder now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s term. Mejía is also concurrently running for election in the 2026 midterm election. Former Rep. Tom Malinowski and Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, both of whom ran against Mejía in the February 4 primary, have endorsed her, as have Sen. Corey Booker, Sen. Andy Kim, Rep. Lamonica McIver, and other members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation.

    Collin Rees, Campaigns Manager at Oil Change Action, said: 

    “Analilia Mejía understands that fighting for a future where everyone can thrive means taking on Big Oil and Gas with bold plans to phase out fossil fuels and make polluters pay. We’re proud to endorse her for Congress as a fighter for the people of New Jersey and a better future.”

    Matt Smith, New Jersey Director at Food & Water Action, said: 

    “Analilia Mejía has been a longtime ally of ours since her time running the New Jersey Working Families Party. We’re thrilled to be helping to send one of New Jersey’s very best organizers to Congress to pass ambitious climate legislation and to hold Trump accountable.”

    RL Miller, Political Director at Climate Hawks Vote, said: 

    “Analilia Mejía has earned our respect with her thoughtful, people-centered approach to policy. We’re looking forward to working with her in Congress to stand up against Trump and then move forward with progressive policies.”

    Stephanie Kurose, Northeast Political Director at the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, said:

    “Analilia Mejía has dedicated her entire career to fighting corporate greed and special interests to protect the people of New Jersey. Now more than ever, we need to elect leaders with unshakeable values who aren’t afraid to stand up to Trump and his Republican cronies in Congress. Mejía is the progressive champion we need and we’re excited to endorse her.”

    Mike Johnson, Democracy Campaigns Manager at Third Act, said: 

    “Our leaders in New Jersey are enthusiastic in their support for Analilia Mejía — they know that she has the values and vision to build a vibrant future and will be a champion for elders concerned about the state of our democracy and climate.”

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