Courtesy of Activate Virginia – great work on this! Also, h/t to Graham Moomaw of the RTD for breaking this story.
We’re proud to take part in such an exceptional political experience this year. The pledge referenced in the article below (thanks Graham Moomaw and Richmond Times-Dispatch), along with the 57 candidates who signed on, follows:
“In 2017, we find ourselves slipping further into environmental catastrophe as a nation and a planet. In the wake of President Trump’s executive order that essentially dismantles the Obama administration’s climate change policy, we believe it’s our duty to take a principled stand. From the Shenandoah Valley to the Chesapeake Bay, we’ve seen the adverse environmental effects of a political system unduly influenced by the fossil fuel industry. And if there were ever a year for Virginians to resist – for everyday citizens running for office to speak out – that year is 2017.
We, the undersigned, believe all elected officials should be making decisions about the environment without monetary influence from the fossil fuel industry. For years, Appalachian Power and Dominion in particular have pumped cash into the coffers of politicians from both political parties in Virginia – and, of course, into the parties themselves. These interests are not driven by the protection of our environment or concerns about public health, but by the profit motive.
If we’re to be credible as candidates willing to fight to protect our environment, willing to stand up to corporate interests when they conflict with the interests of everyday Virginians, we must remove the appearance of influence through campaign donations. Especially in Virginia’s unrestricted campaign finance environment.
We therefore pledge never to accept campaign contributions from either Dominion or Appalachian Power. This small step towards a Democratic Party of Virginia free from Dominion and Appalachian influence is, we feel, the absolute least we can do. We hope our fellow Democratic politicians in Virginia will join us. Because it’s only together, as a unified progressive force, that we’ll be able to reinstate a government dedicated to preserving and protecting our beautiful – yet fragile – environment.”
In Districts Won By Clinton in 2016:
HD 2: Jennifer Foy
HD 2: Josh King
HD 10: Wendy Gooditis
HD 13: Danica Roem
HD 13: Steven Jansen
HD 21: Kelly Fowler
HD 21: Tom Brock
HD 31: Elizabeth Guzman
HD 42: Tilly Blanding
HD 42: Kathy Tran
HD 50: Lee Carter
HD 51: Ken Boddye
HD 67: John Carey
HD 67: Hannah Risheq
HD 68: Dawn Adams
HD 72: Schuyler VanValkenburg
HD 73: Sarah Smith
HD 73: Chelsea Savage
HD 73: Bill Coleman
HD 73: Debra Rodman
In Remaining Districts:
HD 8: Steve McBride
HD 9: Stephanie Cook
HD 20: Michele Edwards
HD 23: Natalie Short
HD 25: Angela Lynn
HD 26: Brent Finnegan
HD 26: Cathy Copeland
HD 27: Larry Barnett
HD 28: Joshua Cole
HD 30: Annette Hyde
HD 33: Tia Walbridge
HD 33: Mavis Taintor
HD 55: Morgan Goodman
HD 56: Lizzie Drucker-Basch
HD 56: Melissa Dart
HD 57: Ross Mittiga
HD 58: Kellen Squire
HD 60: Jamaal Johnston
HD 62: Sheila Bynum-Coleman
HD 62: Tavorise Marks
HD 64: John Wandling
HD 64: Rebecca Colaw
HD 66: Katie Ann Sponsler
HD 69: Montigue Magruder (Independent)
HD 70: Alex Mejias
HD 77: Jeff Staples (Green)
HD 81: Kimberly Tucker
HD 81: Nancy Carothers
HD 82: Leigh Anne Bowling
HD 83: David Rose-Carmack
HD 84: Erin Edlow
HD 85: Cheryl Turpin
HD 88: Steve Aycock
HD 88: Gerald Anderson (Green)
HD 91: Michael Wade
HD 96: Kelly DeLucia
HD 97: Cori Johnson (Independent)
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