Washington D.C. – The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, which works to elect pro-environment candidates, announced today the endorsement of two Congressional candidates in the upcoming Ohio special elections: Allison Russo (OH-15) and Shontel Brown (OH-11).

“Ohioans are already experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis from dangerous heat waves to flooding,” said LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “We are thrilled to support proven champions Shontel Brown and Allison Russo for Congress. The stakes have never been higher and we know these leaders will listen to the science, prioritize the health and well-being of communities over polluter profits, and deliver on transformational climate, clean energy, jobs and justice legislation for all communities.”

“Councilwoman Brown has made environmental justice and the fight against climate change a key priority in her campaign, and we look forward to working with her as she fights for aggressive federal action to secure net-zero emissions by 2050 and a carbon-free power sector by 2035,”said Heather Taylor-Miesle, President of the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund. “Representative Russo is a dedicated, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic advocate for our environment. During her time in the Ohio House, Rep. Russo has been a leader on drinking water legislation, fighting to ensure every child has access to safe and lead-free drinking water. We know she’ll bring the same passion for a healthy environment to the United States Congress, unlike her coal lobbyist opponent whose campaign has been bankrolled by the fossil fuel industry.”

“It is critical that we protect Ohioans’ water, land, and air. I am proud to have earned the endorsement of LCV Action Fund, who are on the frontlines of ensuring we have a safe and clean environment–now and in the future for our kids and grandkids,” said Ohio State Representative Allison Russo. “This special election is a chance for voters in Ohio’s 15th Congressional District to elect someone on their side. In Congress, I will fight for policies to create good-paying jobs for Ohioans in our clean energy economy and ensure corporations don’t pollute the land and water we all rely on.”

“I am honored to receive the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund’s endorsement for Congress.  Americans deserve leaders in Washington who will put people and the environment before politics,” said  Councilwoman Shontel Brown. “We must hold corporate polluters accountable when they lead to higher illness rates, hospitalizations, and deaths. In Congress, I will work with LCV and others to deliver environmental justice and a clean energy future for Northeast Ohio.”

Shontel Brown was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2011, she was elected to the Warrensville City Council and in 2014, was elected to represent the 9th District on the Cuyahoga County Council. In 2017, she was elected as chair of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, the first woman and the first Black person to hold the position. When Representative Marcia Fudge became U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for President Biden’s administration, Brown entered the special election for the open seat. She has worked at the local level in partnership with Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Fund protecting ecologically sensitive areas in the Chagrin River Valley and led resolutions to declare racism, including environmental racism, a public health crisis.

Allison Russo was born and raised in Mississippi. The first in her family to graduate from college, she lives with her family in Upper Arlington, Ohio, where she is a public health policy consultant. Russo has spent nearly two decades advising government leaders and policymakers on issues related to the health care financing and care delivery needs of seniors, vulnerable populations, veterans, and military families. In 2018, Russo was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives where she serves as the Ranking Member of the House Health Committee. In her time in the legislature, Russo has become a key leader on water policy and this session, she was one of the lead sponsors of legislation to better protect drinking water from toxic PFAS chemicals and other pollutants, as well as legislation that would help reform Ohio’s campaign finance laws including more transparency from corporations spending on elections. During the 133rd General Assembly, she received a 10 out of 10 on the OEC Action Fund Scorecard and was highlighted as one of their top environmental advocates.

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 95 U.S. Senators and 460 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.

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Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and authorized by Shontel Brown for Congress and Russo for Congress.