Key Environmental Champions Win Primary Election Races

Key Environmental Champions Win Primary Election Races

Illinois -- Today, at least twelve of Sierra Club’s sixteen endorsements in competitive primary races won their respective elections, officially setting the stage for important races up and down the ballot in the General Election this November. A few races are still too close to call.

Sierra Club’s full list of Primary Election endorsements for the Illinois General Assembly, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Cook County State’s Attorney, and Lake County Board can be found here. Sierra Club also endorsed Bring Chicago Home, which has not yet been called. As our communities experience an increase in extreme weather events due to climate change, it's more critical than ever to house our neighbors and provide support to those coming out of homelessness. The work to address homelessness will continue, and Sierra Club looks forward to working with Bring Chicago Home organizers and partners across the City to do just that.

In response to the Primary Election results, Sierra Club Illinois Director Jack Darin released the following statement: 

“These Primary Election victories are critical to our continued work to ensure all Illinoisans have the right to clean air, clean water, and equitable communities. The champions we elect to local, state, and federal offices this November will play key roles in the fight to expand clean and affordable power, transportation, industry, and heating; restore protections for wetlands; and safeguard communities most impacted by pollution. That’s why Sierra Club works hard to endorse candidates who understand the full weight of the climate crisis and are grounded in justice.

“We congratulate all of the champions who won tonight and we look forward to working with them to enact bold solutions to protect and improve our communities. In particular, we applaud Graciela Guzmán’s resounding victory. Her campaign captivated our members and supporters, who knocked over 2,000 doors and called nearly 15,000 voters in District 20 in support of her vision for environmental justice, clean and affordable transportation choices for all, and leadership on climate action.

“Our members and volunteers are excited to do all we can to help ensure climate champions win in November. We’ll be making another round of endorsements ahead of the General Election this fall, and look forward to mobilizing our communities to elect local, state, and federal leaders who will fight for our land, water, and climate.”

Sierra Club’s contacts with Illinois voters on behalf of endorsed candidates are funded by Sierra Club Illinois PAC. Copies of our reports are available from the State Board of Elections in Springfield, Illinois.