Press Releases

LCVVF Names #MESEN Candidate Eric Brakey to 2018 Dirty Dozen

Oct 18, 2018

Alyssa Roberts, 202-454-4573, aroberts@lcv.org

Augusta, Maine – Today, LCV Victory Fund named U.S. Senate candidate for Maine Eric Brakey to the infamous Dirty Dozen list. For more than 20 years, the Dirty Dozen has targeted the most anti-environmental candidates running for office nationwide. During his time in the state legislature, Brakey has put polluters ahead of protecting the state’s lands, water and air — earning him an abysmal 31 percent lifetime score from Maine Conservation Voters.

Brakey has been consistently opposed to commonsense environmental protections, including being the lone vote against an act that would protect firefighters from toxic pollutants.

“Our future depends on having a Congress that will protect and advance our health, clean water, clean air, and clean energy economy,” said Pete Maysmith, LCV Victory Fund Senior Vice President for Campaigns. “Eric Brakey actively opposes policies that protect our health, air, water and land. Mainers deserve a consistent champion for our earth, not a consistent detractor like Brakey.”

“While in our state senate, Eric Brakey has proven that he stands against everything voters truly value, and we can’t let that toxicity represent us in Washington,” said Beth Ahearn of Maine Conservation Voters. “Maine voters are united in protecting our land, water, and wildlife. Despite this, Eric Brakey has attempted to polarize us by routinely opposing our health, environment, lands, and clean energy future. We need a leader who will be a unifier and a champion for our issues.”

As a state senator, Brakey has shown hostility towards public lands, including being one of two no votes for a bill that would have improved recreation infrastructure and access to public lands. Brakey also opposed a pro-solar bill, which would have required Maine’s Public Utilities Commission to adopt fair metering rules for home and business owners who use solar energy. The bill also would have expanded community solar energy projects by allowing more people to participate.

LCV Action Fund has endorsed Senator Angus King for re-election in the race, noting that he is an “important leader for building a clean energy economy and addressing climate change in the U.S. Senate.”

 

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Paid for by LCV Victory Fund, www.lcvvictoryfund.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.