WASHINGTON, DC— The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, which works to elect candidates who will implement sound environmental policies, announced today its endorsement of three candidates running in Iowa: Patty Judge (U.S. Senate), Monica Vernon (U.S. House, District 1) and Jim Mowrer (U.S. House, District 3). 

“With Patty Judge, Monica Vernon, and Jim Mowrer in Congress, we will gain three strong allies for action on climate change and the protection of our environment,” said LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “Patty Judge, Monica Vernon, and Jim Mowrer are committed to continue growing Iowa’s strong clean energy economy to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and create good-paying jobs.”

“Protecting our environment and natural resources for future generations must be a top priority,” said Patty Judge. “I believe our success in Iowa can be a model for the nation as we transition to a clean energy economy. Here in Iowa, clean energy has helped create 21st century jobs and new industries that have created economic opportunity across the state. There’s more to be done and I look forward to working on this as Iowa’s next U.S. Senator.”

“It’s an honor to have the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund’s endorsement,” said Monica Vernon. “There is no question: climate change is real. After experiencing a devastating climate event during the 2008 flood, I know we have to take action now to prevent future disasters. I am committed to protecting our environment, investing in renewable energy and conservation efforts, and strengthening our economy by bringing green jobs to northeast Iowa.”

“Climate change is an existential threat to our national security, our economy, and especially to our way of life here in Iowa,” said Jim Mowrer. “We have been a leader in renewable energy production and we must continue to work towards a fully renewable energy economy that does not rely on fossil fuels. I am proud to be endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and look forward to continuing Iowa’s great tradition of leadership on the development of renewable energy.”

Patty Judge has been a longtime advocate for Iowa’s economy, environment and families. She started her career as a nurse helping to protect public health, and most recently served as Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor from 2007 to 2011. Judge represented Iowa’s 4th Senate District in the State Senate from 1993 to 1998, before becoming the first woman elected as Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture. During her eight years in that office, Judge worked to protect and expand funding for conservation programs and wetland restoration programs to ensure these resources are protected for future generations. As Secretary of Agriculture and Lieutenant Governor, she was part of the efforts that have led nearly one-third of Iowa’s energy production to come from wind, and she continues to campaign for greater investments in clean energy deployment and research and development.  

As the former President and CEO of the Vernon Research Group, Monica Vernon has an extensive background in clean energy market research which she will bring with her to Congress. She served two terms on the Cedar Rapids City Council, including six years as Mayor Pro Tempore and as chair of the Economic Development Committee. On the council, she was a strong voice for sustainable development and worked to make the city more walkable and bike friendly, pushing for funding bike lanes and bike trails. Vernon has seen firsthand the impacts of climate change-driven extreme weather, and after the devastating floods of 2008, she helped implement redevelopment plans for Cedar Rapids that were more resilient and sustainable. 

Jim Mowrer’s experience as a veteran and national security expert has given him a strong commitment to addressing climate change and building Iowa’s clean energy economy. In 2010, Mowrer was appointed to serve as the Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army after years of protecting our country in the Iowa National Guard and being deployed to Iraq. While serving in the Pentagon, Mowrer oversaw the Army Office of Business Transformation and helped the Army achieve a ten percent reduction in energy usage. The federal government is the biggest energy user in the country, and the Department of Defense is the largest user of energy within the federal government. 

Judge, Vernon, and Mowrer are featured on LCV Action Fund’s GiveGreen website, the only bundling website devoted exclusively to raising money for environmental champions for federal office. 

About LCV Action Fund

The League of Conservation Voters Action Fund (LCVAF), the connected federal political action committee (PAC) of the League of Conservation Voters, works to elect candidates who will implement sound environmental laws and policies, and defeat those who stand in the way of progress. Since the 1994 election cycle, LCVAF has helped elect and re-elect 69 U.S. Senators and 306 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.  In the 2013-2014 election cycle, LCVAF endorsed over 70 candidates and raised and donated almost $6 million dollars via GiveGreen. 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 Patty Judge for Iowa, Monica Vernon for Congress, and Mowrer for Iowa.