Environmental group pledges $60M to help green candidates

A leading environmental political organization is pledging upwards of $60 million in the 2018 midterm elections to help candidates aligned with environmental issues.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) said it plans to direct its multi-million dollar spend — the largest investment it has made for any election — toward helping candidates in various races through direct donations, fundraising and advertisements.

{mosads}The group will spend more than $25 million on Senate and House advertisements, $25 million on state elections, $10 million in fundraising campaigns for federal and state candidates, and $1 million towards a communications program, according to a memo released by the organization Thursday.

The move follows the Trump administration’s moves to roll back a number of environmental regulations aimed at safeguarding the environment, prompting backlash from many Democrats and environmental activists. 

“This fall we will build on this wave and energize, persuade and mobilize millions of voters to reject an agenda that is designed by and benefits corporate polluters — and instead, elect candidates who will stand up for clean lakes and rivers, clear blue skies and saving our public lands,” the group said in a statement.

LCV on Wednesday announced that more than 1,400 candidates running for office in November made a pledge to the group’s “Clean Energy for All” commitment,” a goal of making their state 100 percent clean energy reliant by 2050, including Colorado Democrat and gubernatorial candidate Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), and Oregon’s Democratic Gov. Kate Brown.

The group has already invested large sums into local races. In July LCV’s Victory Fund, launched a $990,000 ad campaign against Montana Senate candidate Matt Rosendale (R), who has opposed public lands protections. 

“After a year and a half of President Trump and Congress’ unprecedented rollbacks of public health, climate and public lands protections, and significant on-the-ground work from the environmental community to build opposition, voters are now primed to make their voices heard on Election Day,” the group said. 

— Updated 1:15 p.m.