Press Releases

LCV Announces Pete Maysmith New Senior Vice President of Campaigns

Sep 21, 2017

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

Washington, D.C. – League of Conservation Voters President Gene Karpinski today announced that Pete Maysmith has been named the organization’s new Senior Vice President of Campaigns. Maysmith, who has nearly three decades of experience in advocacy and politics, joins LCV from Conservation Colorado, where as Executive Director he led the organization through a successful merger and grew it into a political powerhouse and LCV’s largest state affiliate.

As Senior Vice President of Campaigns, Maysmith will oversee LCV’s federal and state independent electoral programs, as well as grassroots organizing and other activities on several issue advocacy campaigns. Over the last several election cycles LCV’s election work has grown at a rapid pace. In 2016 LCV and its affiliated entities invested more than $45 million including nearly $38 million on independent expenditures in state and federal races, and raised $8.4 million in grassroots donations for candidates. Additionally, in 2016 LCV’s campaign field programs had 3,600 staff who contacted 5.5 million voters.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Pete onboard as staff after serving a key role on our board and as a state leader. Pete brings a record of success that will help us channel the energy the public is feeling right now to stand up to the most anti-environmental president in history and elect real environmental champions up and down the ballot in 2017, 2018 and beyond,” said LCV President Gene Karpinski.

“The need to have leaders in Washington and the states who will fight for our clean water, clean air, clean energy and public lands is clearer than ever before, and LCV’s two million members and state partners in 28 states stand ready to take back pro-environment majorities,” said Pete Maysmith. “I’m excited to build on the victories we’ve had out West and make climate a winning issue nationwide.”

“Pete has been a passionate defender of the landscapes and natural environment for which Colorado is famous, as well as an amazing organizer of the public to make sure these lands are protected,” said Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. “It’s hard to imagine all that he will do at the national level. The quality of our air and water is in good hands.”

“Under Pete’s leadership, Colorado has seen many notable conservation victories,” said Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. “We can always use more Colorado commonsense leading the way, and Pete’s knowhow combined with the League of Conservation Voters’ political muscle will help bring the issue of climate change to the forefront.”

Maysmith became Executive Director of Conservation Colorado in 2009 and oversaw a sevenfold increase in the organization’s budget and growth to more than 36,000 members, while successfully pushing for stronger clean energy policies, protections for public lands and the state’s first-ever water management plan. Maysmith’s career includes experience lobbying, organizing, raising millions of dollars and running campaigns. He has helped guide LCV’s electoral work as a member of the Political and Campaign Committee of the Board of Directors since 2014, a position he will resign in his new role.

The League of Conservation Voters works to turn environmental values into national, state and local priorities. LCV, in collaboration with our state LCV partners, advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and helps elect pro-environment candidates who will champion our priority issues.