Voting Matters - Make Your Voice Heard!
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"We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate."
Thomas Jefferson
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Clean Water Action
2024 is a presidential election year, with a great deal at stake on the national stage. Sometimes, however, the most important elections are closer to home, such as our state Legislature which makes decisions every day that effect your life and your community.
Election day will be held on November 5th (the deadline to register to vote is October 21st).
Clean Water Action’s Vote Environment Committee (CWAVE) has evaluated several key races in Pennsylvania that impact large numbers of our members. Below is a list of candidates that Clean Water Action has endorsed in Pennsylvania's General Election.
Key races: Clean Water Action Endorsements
Bob Casey for re-election to U.S. Senate
- Bob had a 100% environmental voting record on our last scorecard.
- Bob supported the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which provided millions to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to fund the replacement of lead service lines and reduce the burden on ratepayers.
- Bob supported Inflation Reduction Act which provided $396 million to Pennsylvania to reduce climate causing industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
Malcolm Kenyatta for Pennsylvania Auditor General
- Malcolm has a 94% lifetime environmental voting record in the legislature that’ll serve as a background for the environmental challenges of the job
- Malcolm is willing to conduct a financial audit of DEP to identify if it has the necessary resources to effectively enforce and implement environmental protections.
- Malcolm will make sure federal funds used on environmental projects are spent legally and provide feedback through audits on how to improve those projects.
Eugene DePasquale for Pennsylvania Attorney General
- Eugene has a history of service and standing up for the environment as a State Representative and PA Auditor General.
- Eugene will hold polluters accountable and fight against environmental degradation
- Eugene will promote sustainable practices to combat climate change.
State Senate
Nicole Ruscitto, District 37
- Nicole was a public educator for 27 years and served her community as a member of Jefferson Hills Council.
- Nicole will fight for implementing stricter regulations and monitoring of fracking operations to reduce environmental impact, enhance monitoring of methane emissions and
- Nicole will work to extend efforts to cap existing leaking abandoned wells.
Nick Pisciottano, District 45
- In the Senate, Nick will continue advocating for increased funding from the state budget to expand public transit.
- In the Senate, Nick will continue working to expand electrification infrastructure across Pennsylvania.
- In the Senate, Nick will continue to build upon victories like the Solar for Schools program he helped pass.
Jim Wertz, District 49
- Jim will take care to keep Lake Erie safe from the chemical runoffs and toxic waste that provide nutrients to harmful algae blooms.
- Jim will support tax breaks that go to businesses that prioritize the well being of our land, air, and water, instead of billion-dollar companies and industries with poor environmental records.
State House
Emily Kinkead, District 20
- Emily has amassed a 100% lifetime environmental voting record during her time in the State House.
- Emily will continue leading the charge on establishing landslide insurance bill that will help people impacted by the changing weather patterns, heavy rainfall and increasing flooding exacerbated by climate change.
- Emily will continue supporting efforts to better protect Environmental Justice communities from pollution, like HB 652.
Dr. Arvind Venkat, District 30
- Arvind has worked to ensure we address climate change and empower citizens to determine what is best for them in their communities.
- Arvind has brought the ability to bridge the relationship between environmental quality and health in the policy arena.
- Arvind supports ALL Pennsylvania children under the age of two getting their blood tested to determine who is at risk.
Mandy Steele, District 33
- Mandy has pushed advancements in environmental policy as an influential voice on the House Environmental Resource & Energy Committee.
- Mandy has been leader on prohibiting toxic PFAS chemicals in products, including co-prime sponsoring HB 2238.
- Mandy will continue to fight for transforming our energy system to 100% renewable energy, creating jobs to ensure a strong transition to a clean economy for our workers.
John Inglis, District 38
- John has sponsored student-led initiatives as a teacher and counselor to clean up different roadways, public spaces, and streams.
- John is supporting initiatives to cut his municipality’s carbon footprint by converting municipal vehicles to electric.
- John will advocate for increased public transit funding, so Pittsburgh Regional Transit can make environmentally friendly upgrades while expanding service.
Liz Hanbidge, District 61
- Liz has a 100% lifetime environmental voting record on our scorecards.
- Liz will continue to focus on preserving our public lands.
- Liz will continue to invest in addressing climate injustices in already disproportionally burdened communities.
Dan Williams for State House, District 74
- Dan has a 100% lifetime environmental voting record on our scorecards.
- Dan will continue to work to implement measures to reduce climate change causing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Dan will continue to work to enhance water quality monitoring and enforcement to prevent pollution from sources like agricultural runoff and industrial discharges.
Eleanor Breslin, District 143
- As an attorney, Eleanor has been part of a team that has had significant legal environmental achievements; including making challenges to air permits
- As a Township Supervisor, Eleanor reactivated the township’s Environmental Advisory Committee and planned the township’s first Earth Day Fair.
- As a legislator, Eleanor will fight to transition Pennsylvania more quickly to renewable energy sources.
Brian Munroe, District 144
- Brian has been a strong advocate for addressing PFAS hazards, especially in firefighting and products.
- Brian has brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars to support local authorities water and sewer projects.
- Brian has promoted state efforts to preserve open spaces.
Joe Ciresi, District 146
- Joe has a 97% lifetime voting record on our scorecards.
- Joe is speaking out for ratepayers by addressing the privatization of public water and wastewater facilities through legislation that would reform the process, reduce costs to ratepayers and provide more transparency.
- Joe was the primary author of legislation that passed the State House and would help create more EV charging stations throughout Pennsylvania at no cost to taxpayers.
Joe Webster, District 150
- Joe has a 100% lifetime voting record on our scorecards.
- Joe has continually emphasized the need for renewed attention on stormwater management to address flooding concerns.
- Joe has introduced legislation to protect our waterways from development through riparian buffer zones.
Melissa Cerrato, District 151
- Melissa has been a supporter of sustainable legislation to curb the effects of climate change while also directly supporting communities facing unprecedented natural disasters.
- Melissa will continue to be a fierce advocate for equal access to safe & clean water and holding companies accountable for water contamination.
- Melissa has been an advocate for addressing PFAS hazards.
Danielle Friel Otten, District 155
- Danielle has a 100% lifetime environmental voting record on our scorecards.
- Danielle has spearheaded legislation that’ll modernize our energy standards and create a more diverse mix of energy resources to protect our power grid.
- Danielle continues to push for legislation that would better protect our communities from pipelines.
Chris Pielli, District 156
- Chris has been an important voice on the House Environmental Resource & Energy Commitee, where has co-sponsored and helped advance important environmental bills.
- Chris introduced legislation to mitigate light pollution and its adverse effects on our environment and our communities.
- Chris will continue to fight for greater financial support for the purchase of Electric Vehicles and Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.
Melissa Shusterman, District 157
- Melissa has a 100% lifetime environmental voting record on our scorecards.
- Melissa will continue to fight to reduce single use plastics and expand our recycling.
- Melissa will continue to work to address repeated severe flooding in the region by expanding opportunities for stormwater controls.
Paid for and authorized by Clean Water Action. This advertisement was not authorized or paid for by a candidate for this office or a committee controlled by a candidate for this office. For more information, call 412-765-3053.
2024 Pennyslvania Election Dates
Polls Open 7am to 8pm
Mail-In or Absentee Ballots must be received by 8pm
April 23rd: Primary Election
Deadline to register to vote: April 8th
November 5th: General Election
Deadline to register to vote: October 21st
Voting Questions or Problems
Pennsylvania Voting Rights Information - 866ourvote.org
Know Your Rights - vote.pa
You have the right to vote! If you have questions, problems, or experience difficulties or harassment registering to vote or casting your ballot, contact the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline for assistance or to report a concern:
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