DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE ACTION FUND ANNOUNCES INCUMBENT ENDORSEMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPIONS

High-scoring Members of Congress get the nod

WASHINGTON – Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund today released the names of 206 Members of Congress who have received the organization’s endorsement for re-election this year. The list includes six incumbent Senators, 198 House Representatives, and two House Representatives, Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.), seeking election to the U.S. Senate.

“Everyone on this list deserves to be recognized for their commitment to environment and conservation issues and we hope that our endorsement signals just that,” said Defenders Action Fund President Rodger Schlickeisen. “Their voting records prove that they are part of the solution in Washington, and not part of the problem, unlike many of their colleagues.”

The list of endorsees from the House of Representatives is compiled of those who received a score of 80% or above on the Defenders Action Fund 2007 Report Card. Senators were scored using the 2005-06 and 2007 Report Cards, so as to represent half of their term also.

Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund began endorsing Congressional candidates in 2006, as part of its Conservation Majority Project. The organization is credited with having played the lead role in defeating former House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo, of California, who was considered unbeatable by most political pundits.

“The Defenders Action Fund is well known for holding enemies of the environment to account on Election Day,” continued Schlickeisen. “But we also have to make sure that our friends in Congress receive the support necessary to keep them in Congress. That is why we will be alerting their constituents to their solid voting records in the run up to the election.”  

The Action Fund also previously endorsed challengers Martin Heinrich in New Mexico’s 1st District and Betsy Markey in Colorado’s 4th District.

View a full list of endorsees >>

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The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund (www.defendersactionfund.org) provides a powerful voice in Washington to Americans who value our conservation heritage. Through grassroots lobbying, issue advocacy and political campaigns, the Action Fund champions those laws and lawmakers that protect wildlife and wild places while working against those that do them harm.