Election Reflections and the Green Path Forward

Hopefully everyone is aware that Tuesday was Election Day.  Those who care about environmental issues are fairly dismayed over what happened in the Federal and State elections. Thankfully, the local story is much brighter.



The only two races with outright winners in Austin's first 10-1 election are women who were two of the most heavily green-endorsed candidates

Delia Garza - 1st Latina elected to Austin City Council

Attorney Delia Garza won District 2 and is the first Latina elected to the Austin City Council. >



Ann Kitchen won Austin City Council District 5 without a runoff









Former State Rep and health care advocate Ann Kitchen won the Austin City Council District 5.  <





The remaining NINE races are headed for the December 16th runoff elections. Of the 78 candidates, the eco-leaders have risen to the top. In ALL nine of the runoff races at least one candidate received an environmental endorsement



To me, that says people who are strong for the environment are most preferable and/or best suited for a leadership role in Austin! 



A collection of environmental activists are looking at the best ways to ensure that the greener candidates prevail in December. The most sure fire way to do this is to turn out the vote. Runoffs are notorious for dismal turnout and winners and losers can be decided by a remarkably small number of votes.  



Please indulge my rant for a moment, but the State of Texas and the US Senate are  going to be led into the future by people who deny climate change and will do everything possible to roll back environmental protections. Abbott has vowed to "fight Obama's job-killing regulations." Never mind the people-killing fossil fuels. In Texas those people were elected by less than 20% of the registered voters. And there are more people who could be registered.How Texans Voted (or Did Not Vote) in 2014 

So even though 61% of the public agrees that there is solid evidence that the Earth is warming and 48% say global climate change is a threat to the U.S., 80% of Texas voters didn't elect state leaders who have any hope of acting on that.



I implore you, pleaselet's get the local leadership right! The work we do at the local level over the next 10 years will be the foundation on which to build a national plan when the pendulum swings back from the current extreme anti-environment agenda. Austin will be the proving ground for an economically viable green energy economy. Let's elect leaders that can help Austin help turn the nation around (in several years).



Plan right now when you will vote during the Early Voting between December 1-12 or on Runoff Election Day, December 16.  Right now, set reminders for yourself to reach out to your contacts, social media and neighborhood lists now, during early voting, and again on election day.



Even better, contribute to the success of the green candidatesDonate. Contact a campaign and volunteer to help, even if it's not for your district. Book a few sessions of block walking or phone calling, envelope stuffing or whatever they say is most helpful.

No Comments

Post A Comment