Environment America jumps into races for House, Senate

WASHINGTON - An environmental issues advocacy organization is wading into the world of congressional elections, opening up fronts in some of the nation’s most competitive U.S. House and Senate races.

Environment America, a 501 (c)4 group, is launching a ground organization in the Centennial State supporting House candidate Betsy Markey and Senate candidate Mark Udall. The organization is also preparing to set up shop in Connecticut, New Mexico, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Illinois, California, and Pennsylvania.

Environment America political director Ivan Frishberg, praising Markey and Udall’s record on green issues, said the organization aimed to go to bat for open seat and challenger candidates who would bring strong environmental resumes to Washington.

“We are focusing on a set of races that expand and defend the environmental majority in congress,” said Frishberg.

Environment America joins a list of environmental groups, including Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, and League of Conservation Voters that are playing active roles in congressional politics this cycle. Already, Defenders, which became known for its influential role in knocking off former Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo last cycle, has taken aim at Markey opponent U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Greeley). The League of Conservation voters, meanwhile, is playing in Colorado’s competitive Senate contest between Udall and former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer.

With energy issues have taking over the headlines, organizers say, there is room for another green-focused organization.

“It seemed to make sense for us to jump in because energy has risen as a top-tier issue in this election cycle,” said Colorado field director Matt Garrington.

What separates Environment America from other environmental groups, organizers say, is its focus on grassroots organizing over paid media advertising. The organization has 50,000 activists in Colorado who are ready to go to work on get out the vote and other voter contact efforts, said Garrington.

Frishberg declined to specify how much the group was planning to spend between now and November. As a 501 (c)4 organization, Environment America is not obligated to disclose the sources of its funding. But Frishberg said the organization relied heavily upon small donor members who gave less than $100 apiece.