Press Releases

LCV Action Fund Endorses Mark Kelly for Senate

Jun 6, 2019

Contact: Holly Burke, 202-454-4554, Holly_Burke@lcv.org

Washington D.C.- The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, which works to elect pro-environment candidates, announced today its endorsement of Captain Mark Kelly for U.S. Senate from Arizona.

“Arizona communities are on the front lines of the climate crisis, and they deserve a U.S. Senator who is fighting for their health and their future,” said LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “Mark Kelly is committed to commonsense climate solutions and investing in all communities in Arizona, especially the low income and communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by pollution and environmental injustice. As an engineer, astronaut and veteran Mark Kelly knows what it takes to tackle the challenges that we face and LCV Action Fund is proud to endorse him for U.S. Senate”

“We are excited that Mark Kelly has prioritized climate change and climate justice in his Senate race,” said Chispa Arizona Political Director Gloria Montaño Greene. “Latinos, low income communities, and communities of color are on the front lines of climate change with greater exposure to extreme heat and higher levels of asthma. We need leaders ready to champion the fight against climate change, set Arizona on a course for greater sustainability and improved quality of life.”

“Between my first and fourth trips to space, I witnessed significant deforestation and other changes in our planet in just 10 years,” said Captain Mark Kelly. “As an engineer and an astronaut I value science and data, and that’s the approach I will bring to tackling climate change. Arizona is at the center of this – we are at risk of increased heat and drought as a result of climate change, but also have a great opportunity to lead in the transition to a renewable economy. I appreciate the support of LCV Action Fund, and look forward to working with LCV to protect our environment and tackle climate change for this generation and the next.”

Mark Kelly is a retired U.S. Navy officer, engineer, and astronaut. He served as a naval aviator and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, earning a number of major awards for his service. In 1996, NASA selected Kelly and his twin brother to be astronauts. He traveled to space four times serving as both the pilot and the commander of the Space Shuttle. Kelly retired from the Navy and NASA in 2011 to care for his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, during her recovery from a tragic shooting. Following the shooting, Kelly and Giffords founded an organization dedicated to promoting responsible gun ownership and common sense gun safety measures. In the Senate he will focus on investing in Arizona’s clean energy economy and ensuring that Arizonans have access to clean water for generations to come.

 

About LCV Action Fund

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, the connected federal political action committee (PAC) of the League of Conservation Voters, works to elect leaders who stand up for a clean, healthy environment and to defeat anti-environment candidates who oppose climate action. Since the 1990 election cycle, LCVAF has helped elect and re-elect 90 U.S. Senators and 450 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Over the last several years, our efforts have also helped elevate climate change and clean energy as critical issues in key elections.

###

Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and authorized by Mark Kelly for Senate.