Beyond Carbon Applauds Virginia’s New State House And Senate Democratic Majority Following Group’s First Electoral Effort To Elect Climate Champions
Beyond Carbon backed successful House of Delegates candidate Shelly Simonds (HD-94) with a $265,000 TV buy contrasting her commitment to protect Virginians’ safety and security with the Republican incumbent’s climate failures NOVEMBER 5, 2019 — This evening, Beyond Carbon, the largest-ever coordinated campaign to combat the climate crisis in the U.S. founded by Michael R. Bloomberg, celebrates the Democratic victory in Virginia, where the party won majorities in both the State Senate and House of Delegates, and Virginians elected climate champions to represent them. This slate includes Shelly Simonds, who was elected to represent House District 94 and was backed by Beyond Carbon. In the last week of the election, Beyond Carbon launched a TV advertising campaign to highlight the stark contrast between Simonds and her Republican opponent who repeatedly sided with polluters while in office, risking the safety and security of Virginians. The district-wide TV buy marked Beyond Carbon’s first ad campaign for climate champions since the $500 million initiative was launched in June of 2019. “Our Beyond Carbon campaign aims to elect champions of climate action all over the country — and in Virginia, we’re off to a great start,” said Bloomberg. “I congratulate all those who won election by promising to tackle the climate crisis and protect Virginians from its effects. Voters are demanding change, and these results stand in stark contrast to the President’s announcement on Monday that he will pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement. As we saw in 2018, supporting bold climate action is a winning campaign strategy, and through Beyond Carbon, we’ll continue electing candidates who will provide the leadership our country needs.” “These wins are a victory for Virginians today and Virginians of the future,” said Brynne Craig, Beyond Carbon Campaign Manager. “Congratulations to Delegate-elect Simonds and all the other successful candidates who will ensure the Commonwealth can move forward on policies that will create jobs and grow Virginia’s economy while protecting access to clean air and water. Beyond Carbon knows we cannot wait for Washington to act on the climate crisis — change is happening now in city halls and state capitals, and Beyond Carbon is committed to electing officials who will go even further, faster to move our country to a 100% clean energy economy. We’re excited to build on tonight’s success in states, cities, and regions around the country in 2020 and beyond.” Beyond Carbon’s ad stressed the risk rising sea levels from climate change poses to 400,000 Virginian homes. The ad also highlighted how Republican incumbent David Yancey has sided with polluters and endangered Virginia’s coast, which stands in stark contrast to Shelly Simonds’ commitment to protect coastlines and the safety and security of Virginians. Watch the ad for Shelly Simonds here. Beyond Carbon is the largest coordinated effort to tackle the climate crisis ever undertaken in the United States. Designed to accelerate climate action in U.S. states, cities, and organizations using proven advocacy, legal, and electoral strategies, Beyond Carbon is working to move the U.S. fully off of fossil fuels and drive progress in the clean energy transition by eliminating coal, slowing the rush to gas, and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy across the country. By advocating for the passage of clean energy policies, electing climate-forward representatives at the state and local levels, and providing critical support to the grassroots climate movement, Beyond Carbon is ensuring the United States continues to make progress on the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.
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