Washington Conservation Voters spends over $850,000* to elect environmental leaders
Seattle, WA
November 6, 2018 – Washington Conservation Voters (WCV), the state’s political voice for the environment, was among the top organizations in the state investing resources and grassroots to elect over a dozen candidates to the Washington State Legislature. Washington Conservation Voters raised and spent nearly $850,000* and knocked on 82,000 doors to elect the largest class of environmental state legislative champions in at least a decade and increase the environmental majorities in the state legislature. WCV had over 1,100 volunteers and 1,450 donors supporting the effort.
“New environmental leaders will join current champions, creating a strong pro-environmental majority in both the Senate and House,” said WCV CEO Joan Crooks. “With strong environmental leadership and increased environmental majorities, the state can move forward to address the biggest environmental challenges of our time like climate action, protecting Puget Sound, and restoring our resident orca population.”
Candidates with strong environmental backgrounds include: Pinky Vargas (LD 42 Senate, Whatcom County), who championed clean energy on the Bellingham City Council and helped businesses with energy efficiency; Bill Ramos (LD 5 House, East King County), a former US Forester who owns a small business focused on transit and transportation options; and Debra Lekanoff (LD 40 House, Bellingham), a long time tribal leader and advocate of the Salish Sea.
Altogether this election cycle, WCV invested in nine legislative districts, reaching tens of thousands of voters at their doors and hundreds of thousands more by TV and digital advertisements.
State Senate & House Program Highlights
- Raised and spent a total of $850,000 between WCV and WCV Action Fund
- 1,100 volunteers knocked on doors and made phone calls
- 1,450 people from around the state made financial contributions to the effort
- Knocked on 82,000 doors and made 17,000 phone calls
- Sent 8 environment focused mail pieces to 170,267 households
- Environmental digital ads had 233,244 impressions
- Partnered with New Direction PAC in a mail, canvass, digital advertising, and cable TV program totaling over $4 million.
- Partnered with Our Votes Count PAC, a coalition focused on engaging low-propensity voter turnout on canvass, mail, and digital program totaling $400,000.
“Washington voters care deeply about access to clean air and water,” said WCV President Shannon Murphy. “Elections have consequences and this year gives Washington the opportunity to elect a legislature that will not just reflect our state’s values, but be a leader in the country in protecting our environment and public health for generations to come.”
* This includes separate investments and programs from Washington Conservation Voters and Washington Conservation Voters Action Fund.
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About Washington Conservation Voters
Washington Conservation Voters (WCV) ensures Washington’s decision makers keep our environment protected, healthy, and vibrant. Over the last 35 years, we have elected environmental champions, held our elected leaders to the highest standard, and built statewide momentum for environmental campaigns through innovative voter outreach efforts and community organizing. Through our work, WCV is committed to making sure all people in Washington state have a healthy environment and a strong, sustainable economy.
Contact: Shannon Murphy, WCV President
shannon@wcvoters.org, 206-910-8776