2008 Year in Review: Winning for the Environment

Washington Conservation Voters works to pass strong laws that protect the health of our communities and the beauty of our state. 2008 was a year of great opportunity and we seized that opportunity to create lasting change. As we move into 2009 we have large pro-environment majorities in Olympia, a national debate centered on clean energy, and momentum stemming from our electoral wins and our legislative achievements. Washington Conservation Voters wins races that count and brings the environment to the forefront of the political landscape. We’re thinking big. And we’re winning big for you, for Washington and for the generations to come. Here are some of the highlights of  what we accomplished together in 2008:

Amplifying the Voices of Environmental Voters in Olympia

Holding Elected Officials Accountable

Making the Environment an Electoral Priority

Amplifying the Voices of Environmental Voters in Olympia

Washington Conservation Voters worked closely with the environmental community to help pass the 2008 Environmental Priorities, laying the foundation for major action on Global Warming, Puget Sound and a new energy economy in 2009 and beyond. The legislature passed all four of the Priorities, taking major steps forward for healthier kids and small and mid-sized farms, greener cities, smart climate policies, and an investment in our clean energy economy.

Holding Elected Officials Accountable

In July, Washington Conservation Voters released the 2007-2008 Legislative Scorecard. The scores this year were the highest ever, reflective of the progress that has been made during the last two sessions on efforts to tackle climate change, promote local farms and open spaces, protect public health and clean up Puget Sound. 

Making the Environment an Electoral Priority

By the Numbers
100% of endorsed statewide candidates elected.
100% of endorsed statewide/multi-county judicial candidates elected.
100% of Washington Conservation Voters positions on ballot measure and propositions passed.
86% of endorsed legislative candidates elected.
62% of endorsed local candidates elected
Overall win percentage of 85%

2008 was a landmark year for the elections and the environment. The stakes were high as Washington Conservation Voters looked to influence two major statewide races: the race for Governor and the race for Commissioner of Public Lands. In both of these races and in their opposition to I-985 and support of Proposition 1: Mass Transit Now, voters across Washington demonstrated their commitment to environmental protection and progress.

Race for Governor
After endorsing Governor Chris Gregoire, Washington Conservation Voters launched a campaign around Dino Rossi’s 32% environmental score and highlighted his uncertainty about global warming. Through a Dino Rossi Scorecard, web ads, phone calls, emails, Facebook and direct mail, Washington Conservation Voters delivered the message of Dino Rossi’s record on the environment to environmental voters and opinion leaders throughout Washington and made sure that voters knew that Governor Gregoire was the environmental choice in the election.

Campaign highlights:  

• 12,000 calls to environmental group members who were undecided on Gregoire.

• Innovative online web ads about Dino Rossi’s environmental record with some of the best action rates for political ads on the Seattle Times family of sites.

• Multiple news articles about Gregoire and Rossi’s environmental record –with Washington Conservation Voters quoted or referenced in the stories.

• 462 volunteer hours in Seattle and Tacoma contacting targeted voters in King and Pierce counties.

• Helped Gregoire turn a 133-vote margin in 2004 into a 6.5% margin of victory in 2008, including huge gains in both Pierce and King Counties.

•  Governor’s campaign recognized Washington Conservation Voters’ work as a key part of the campaign’s success.

Commissioner of Public Lands

The election of Peter Goldmark, a candidate with a strong conservation ethic, was a huge win for the environment. As the highest elected environmental official in the state, it is an important step to have a forward-thinking Commissioner like Goldmark in place. Washington Conservation Voters worked to deliver votes in this race that was ultimately decided by only 31,001 votes. Goldmark understands the role our public lands can play in tackling the pressing challenges of global warming and other environmental issues that face our state and will be an important partner for environmental progress in the coming years.

Legislative Races

Kevin Ranker

Kevin emerged in the late spring as our best chance to elect a new environmental champion to the Senate. In a seven way Primary election, we knew that an early endorsement and targeted campaign work would make the difference for Kevin.

Campaign highlights:

• Washington Conservation Voters contacted 10,000 identified environmental voters in all three counties that make up LD 40 with two mailings, one round of volunteer calls and one round of paid phone calls in August.

• Delivered 150 volunteer hours of door-belling pre-Primary.

Geoff Simpson

As the chair of the House Local Government Committee, Rep. Simpson is our defense against attacks on the GMA. He was also the prime sponsor for the 2008 Local Solutions to Global Warming Priority.

Campaign highlights:

• 66 hours of volunteer help with door-belling.

• $10,000 contribution to a coalition of allied organizations for pro-Simpson TV commercials.

Other key races

Washington Conservation Voters provided significant support to many other legislative candidates throughout the state, some who won—such as Republican incumbent Skip Priest—and others who lost close races—such as newcomer Kim Abel.

All in all, Washington Conservation Voters gave voice to the environment throughout the campaign season, helping to elect those who fight to protect our natural heritage and to defeat those who are out-of-step with mainstream environmental values.