"This election, I was a Sierra Club volunteer in the very contested race for the next mayor of the city of Los Angeles, where people power, grassroots organizing, and partnerships beat a 100 million dollar campaign," said Susana Reyes, a Sierra Club National Volunteer Co-lead. "We helped elect LA's first Black female mayor, Rep. Karen Bass, an environmental champion. I was proud to be a part of that campaign."
By election day this year, the Sierra Club helped activate over 1.6 million of its members to help get out the vote for pro-environment candidates in the final weeks of the 2022 political cycle. Together in 42 different states, we made 700,000 calls and held 15,000 conversations with potential voters.
Volunteers were essential to securing a Democratic majority this midterm and thus strengthening the Sierra Club's work. People power protected this election and put climate and justice champions into office to represent us!
Many of us are like Susana, drawn to join in the effort to elect Democratic candidates this midterm because of the risks we are currently facing. A livable planet, safe and healthy communities, and a democracy that works for everyone were all at stake in this election. We know that electing pro-environment candidates up and down the ballot is our best hope to finally turn a corner on the climate crisis and to begin to secure a brighter future for all of us.
"I started volunteering in 2020 because I was ready to take action. I got involved with the Sierra Club because the environment has always been a priority to me. I used to talk about climate change like it was an abstraction. But now, that's not the case. My friend recently bought a house in South Florida, and all I could think about was how it would likely be underwater by the time he paid off his mortgage. Climate change and its future impact is an ongoing concern for me when I think about planning for my family, work, and where I live. This is why I work year-round with my local chapter to train volunteers, phone bank, and help organize. I sleep better knowing I am helping elect leaders that care about climate change and our future," - Ana Bustamante, Sierra Club Independent Action Campaign Volunteer
This election was critical for several pivotal environmental policy issues. Restoring access to clean air and water, providing affordable clean energy, supporting family-sustaining jobs, and addressing inequities in our response to climate disruptions will all be impacted by this past election. Continued climate action was at stake, with many of the most important fights being at the state and local levels. To continue passing clean energy and climate legislation, implementing the historic Inflation Reduction Act, and finalizing environmental safeguards from the Biden-Harris administration, we needed to elect pro-environment candidates at all levels of government.
This was especially true in states like Minnesota, where Sierra Club volunteers contributed over 150,000 phone banking dials to this election.
Thanks to a powerful collaboration between national and chapter volunteers, we are celebrating huge wins in Minnesota. Not only was there no red wave in Minnesota, we created a blue/green wave. For the first time in a decade, we elected a Democratic trifecta, taking control of the Minnesota legislature, governor, and attorney general offices.
In a multi-year effort, Sierra Club election volunteers spent hours door-to-door canvassing, texting, letter-writing, phone banking, and posting to social media about the importance of voting for the Senate and House candidates who support pro-environmental policies.
Volunteer calls in Minnesota stopped a corporate takeover of Minnesota's attorney general office, ousted extremist and white supremacist Republican Sen. Roger Chamberlain of Lino Lakes, and helped elect nine pro-environment candidates to the state capital.
Although there are still races that are still too close to call, our democracy has proven its ability to preserve. We've demonstrated the ability to build greater political power, and we have an opportunity to gather with neighbors and partners and use our guiding principles of anti-racism, balance, collaboration, justice, and transformation to wield some political power.
It is still important to remain engaged in the political process. Volunteers will continue to be critical in our work to hold elected representatives accountable and push for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the inextricable connections between our planet, humanity, and our democracy. Together we can dismantle oppressive systems, hold those who enable them accountable, and build new equitable systems.
"I am here for life, to help protect generations to come." - Susana Reyes
This is an amazing opportunity to continue to be a part of positive change. We invite you to deepen your role and your involvement with us for the long term. Sign our pledge for power!