The final tally for Climate Hawks Vote in 2014: we endorsed in 17 elections, including 3 primaries and 14 general election races; we won 11 and lost 6. No matter what, I'm proud of all of our endorsed climate hawk candidates. No regrets. No compromises. All of the candidates we endorsed have been fierce on climate, whether solar solutionistas or energy efficiency evangelists. Thanks to all who made this possible!
Details below.
Primaries:
Endorsed Brian Schatz and Stanley Chang in Hawaii-Senate and Hawaii-01. Local organizers registered voters, made thousands of calls, hosted debate watch parties, appeared at candidate events. Schatz won by 1600 votes (later won general election); Chang came in 3d in a 7-way primary.
Endorsed Ruben Gallego in Arizona-07. Local organizer appeared at candidate events, organized a rally, outreach to environmental groups. National blogging work to expose opponent's dependence on coal money became a race meme. Collected hundreds of local signatures on petition to local newspapers to cover candidates' climate position. Won primary (later won general election).
General election, in order purely alphabetical:
Endorsed Shenna Bellows, Maine-Senate. Local organizer registered voters and engaged targeted low-turnout student voters in person; phonebanking. National blogging to expose opponent's policy homeopathy. Lost, but hopeful that Collins won't be considered a moderate environmental Republican any longer.
Endorsed Lois Capps, California-24. Social media. Won.
Endorsed in Michigan: Paul Clements, MI-06 and Gary Peters, MI-Sen. Clements lost; Peters won. Registered voters, voter registration rally in Benton Harbor, phonebanking, national blogging, substantial earned media, coordinated events with local NAACP, boosted turnout in six targeted precincts by nearly 40%; details here.
Endorsed Heidi Hall, CA-01. Social media. Lost.
Endorsed Mike Honda, CA-17. Social media - educated fellow Kossack and local activist Glen The Plumber re Mike's high score on the Climate Hawks Vote scorecard and general record on climate; said local activist cited by Ro Khanna in concession speech. Won.
Endorsed Ted Lieu, CA-33. Social media, local speeches, outreach. Won.
Endorsed Jeff Merkley, Oregon-Senate. Social media. Won.
Endorsed Scott Peters, CA-52. Local organizer targeted low-turnout youth voters: spoke and tabled at all colleges in district; spoke to local climate activists re Peters' political courage; spoke to local Democratic clubs re Peters' climate record; spoke at local movie nights; tabled at farmers' markets, sustainable food businesses, and other public spaces chosen for emphasis on climate-friendly voters; appeared at rallies; leafleted; extensive social media. Won.
Endorsed Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire-Senate. Social media. Won.
Endorsed Tom Udall, New Mexico-Senate. Social media. Won.
Endorsed carbon price in the human forms of Chris Van Hollen, MD-08 and Dave Peiser, CA-49. Social media. Won MD-08, lost CA-49.
Endorsed Rick Weiland, South Dakota-Senate. National blogging; worked with South Dakota NDN PAC to get out the vote on reservations, targeting reservations where opposition to Keystone XL pipeline is strongest. Lost.
Now it's time to start planning work for 2015. Do we get involved in Presidential politics? Score bills and alert media, as I did with Mary Landrieu and the Keystone XL pipeline vote? Take on the hard task of recruiting candidates for 2016? and if so, where? Stick to the basics of updating and upgrading our sophisticated scorecard measuring not just votes, but leadership on climate? Something else?
Because this is a grassroots-based organization funded by small dollar donors, I'm running a survey to listen to you. Want to help shape our plans? Click here.
Onward to what will be a much better year for Democrats!