PRESS RELEASE

Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Endorses Jared Huffman in bid for House

WASHINGTON (October 20, 2011) - The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund (DAF) today endorsed Assemblyman Jared Huffman in the race for California 2nd district seat in the House of Representatives. Below is a statement from DAF president Jamie Rappaport Clark.

"Now more than ever, we need environmental champions in the House of Representatives. We need principled leaders committed to protecting our air, land, water and wildlife for future generations. Jared Huffman is just such a champion and we are proud to offer him our endorsement today.

"We know from Jared's stellar environmental record that he is a bold lawmaker who takes his responsibility as a steward of our natural resources very seriously. He is a courageous leader who has authored numerous conservation measures himself and then led the charge to get them passed. It is this gutsy tenacity, this can-do attitude that we desperately need in Washington, D.C. where every day seems to bring a new assault on the environment.

"The House Republican leadership is seemingly bent on destroying or weakening many of our nation's most important conservation measures. Already, they have moved against the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. And perhaps most cynically, they are using the troubled economy as an excuse for dismantling these vital protections which they have long opposed.

"We know we can count on Jared Huffman to stand up against these assaults. We know that he will be a strong voice in Washington against attempts to pollute or air and water and destroy our lands and wildlife. That's why we're proud to add him to the list of conservation champions we'll be backing in 2012.

More about DAF:

DAF has a strong history of defeating anti-environmental extremists and electing pro-conservation champions. In 2006, DAF led the charge to defeat Richard Pombo in California's 11th district. In 2008, DAF spent nearly $1 million in New Mexico to help elect both Rep. Martin Heinrich and Sen. Tom Udall in their first races for the House and Senate, defeating extreme anti-conservationists Rep. Heather Wilson and Rep. Steve Pearce in the process. That year also saw DAF lead the charge to defeat Marilyn Musgrave in CO-4. Defenders Action Fund also assisted Heinrich to win re-election in 2010 and is currently one of his strongest backers as he seeks New Mexico's Senate seat in 2012.

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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.