Green group backs Sens. Baldwin, Nelson for reelection

A major environmental group’s campaign arm is backing Democratic Sens. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.) and Bill Nelson (Fla.) for reelection this year.

The NRDC Action Fund, affiliated with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said Baldwin and Nelson have both proven themselves champions of the environment and strong opponents of President Trump’s environmental agenda.

Both races are expected to be extremely close and could either lead Democrats to take the Senate majority or help Republicans keep the majority.

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“From protecting drinking water and the Great Lakes to helping strengthen controls on toxic chemicals, we need fighters like Sen. Baldwin who will stand up to polluters and protect the health of all Wisconsinites,” Kevin Curtis, NRDC Action Fund’s executive director, said in a Wednesday statement.

Businessman Kevin Nicholson and state Sen. Leah Vukmir are running in a Republican primary for the chance to challenge Baldwin.

Baldwin accepted the endorsement, saying in a statement, “With the support of the NRDC Action Fund, I am excited to continue my work to expand clean power, renewable fuels and water efficiency in the U.S. Senate.”

NRDC Action Fund applauded Nelson for opposing fossil fuel priorities, like offshore drilling near Florida.

“Since his first term in office, Sen. Nelson has made it his priority to protect Florida’s economy and environment from the dangers of offshore drilling. Sen. Nelson has a long history of putting the well-being of Florida communities over the interests of powerful corporate polluters and the fossil fuel lobby,” Curtis said.

Nelson is likely to face Gov. Rick Scott (R), though Scott has not declared his candidacy.

“Fighting to protect Florida’s unique environment has, is and always will be one of my top priorities,” Nelson said in a statement. “And it’s an honor to have the support of the NRDC Action Fund and all of its members fighting by my side as we head into 2018.”

It’s the second wave of Senate endorsements for NRDC Action Fund. Earlier this month, the group backed a handful of Democratic senators who are nearly certain to have easy elections: Chris Murphy (Conn.), Tom Carper (Del.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Ben Cardin (Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) and Maria Cantwell (Wash.).