FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Groups Pledge Support for Environmental Champion Heinrich in New Mexico U.S. Senate Race
Robust Effort to Talk Directly with New Mexico Voters
WASHINGTON (June 7, 2012) – A broad coalition of environmental and conservation groups today pledged their support for New Mexico Congressman Martin Heinrich and his election to the U.S. Senate. The groups have rallied behind Heinrich as the Senator who would focus on building New Mexico’s clean energy economy, protecting our natural resources and public health.
The groups are supporting Martin Heinrich because he is an environmental champion who has a proven track record of fighting for New Mexico. His opponent, Heather Wilson, has consistently stood with big oil and the special interest lobbyists in Washington, D.C. The groups, with thousands of members in New Mexico, are launching an aggressive campaign to make sure that voters understand the choice between Heinrich, who fights for New Mexico, and Wilson, who is another politician wedded to the special interests of Washington. The groups will invest in a robust effort to talk directly with New Mexico voters about why Martin Heinrich is the best choice for New Mexico.
The following groups are announcing their efforts: Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, Environment New Mexico, League of Conservation Voters, NRDC Action Fund, and Sierra Club. Statements from each of the groups are below:
“For ten years, Heather Wilson played the Washington game and played it well. She raked in special interest dollars from polluting industries and then spent much of her career voting their way,” said Jamie Rappaport Clark, President of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund. “Contrast Wilson’s dismal record of kowtowing to special interests with that of Martin Heinrich, a widely acknowledged protector of New Mexico’s air, land, water and wildlife, and the choice is clear. Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund is proud to stand with Martin Heinrich as he looks to continue his fight to protect New Mexico’s natural heritage in the Senate.”
“Congressman Heinrich is a strong leader and champion for New Mexico’s environment. He fights for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the special places we love. Heinrich will fight for these values as a senator, unlike his opponent, Heather Wilson, who used her time in Washington to cozy up to the polluter lobby and roll back protections to our water quality and allow polluters to destroy our environment,” said Sanders Moore, Director, Environment New Mexico.
“Heather Wilson was one of Big Oil’s best friends when she was in Washington,” said Sandy Buffett, Executive Director of Conservation Voters New Mexico. “Wilson has consistently backed polluters’ efforts to weaken vital clean air and water safeguards, so it’s not surprising that these polluters have consistently backed Wilson’s efforts to return to Washington.”
“Martin Heinrich has been fighting for New Mexicans and their public health his entire career,” said NRDC Action Fund Director Heather Taylor-Miesle. “He truly cares about the well-being of our kids and will fight to protect the water they drink and the air they breathe.”
“There has never been any question about Martin Heinrich’s priorities. Time and time again, Martin has stood up to corporate polluters and stood with New Mexico families,” said David Farrell, Sierra Club Political Chair for the Southern Group, Rio Grande Chapter. “Martin Heinrich is a relentless advocate for a clean energy economy that will create new jobs for New Mexicans while protecting clean air, clean water, and the health of our kids.”
Contact information by group:
Will Lutz, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, 202-772-0269, [email protected]
Sanders Moore, Environment New Mexico, 505-750-3360, [email protected]
Mike Palamuso, LCV, 202-454-4598, [email protected]
Melissa Harrison, NRDC Action Fund, 202-486-1905, [email protected]
Maggie Kao, Sierra Club, 202-675-2384, [email protected]
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Paid for by Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, www.defendersactionfund.org, Environment New Mexico, www.environmentnewmexico.org, League of Conservation Voters, www.lcv.org, NRDC Action Fund, www.nrdcaf.org, and Sierra Club Political Committee, www.sierraclub.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.