Environmentalist political action committee Washington Conservation Voters announced their endorsement of 41st District State Senator Steve Litzow in a press release on Tuesday.
"WCV sets the bar high for candidates- Democrats and Republicans, said Brendon Cechovic, WCV's Executive Director. "Senator Litzow has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the environment. He has clearly become the new leader of his party on environmental issues in the legislature, following in the footsteps of leaders like former Gov. Dan Evans and Rep. Skip Priest."
Litzow, a Mercer Island resident who stepped down from a city council seat in 2010 to run for the 41st District seat, is running for re-election and faces fellow Mercer Islander Maureen Judge this November. Following redistricting, the new boundaries of the 41st District include have moved eastward to include much of Issaquah and South Sammamish — where voters along the edge of King County's urban boundary are sensitive to environmental concerns.
"Steve shares our belief that issues like climate change, Puget Sound restoration, and public health shouldn't be partisan," Cechovic added. "Our message to other Republicans is clear: Washington voters care deeply about the environment, and WCV will stand with any legislator who works with us and leads on these issues."
Senator Litzow represents a suburban district that cares deeply about clean air and water and a healthy Puget Sound. He will receive a 80% environmental score in the upcoming Washington Conservation Voters Legislative Scorecard, which is 30% higher than the next Republican legislator.
According to Washington Conservation Voters, Litzow has supported key environmental bills in the State Legislature that separated him from his caucus, demonstrating an independent form of leadership that is critical to protecting the environment in the long-term. His best work was behind the scenes in forging bi-partisan consensus on environmental matters from protecting marine waters to ensuring toxic cleanup to the budget.
Upon receiving the endorsement, Litzow said, "I am proud to be endorsed by Washington Conservation Voters. I believe that a healthy environment and a strong economy go hand-in-hand in Washington."
"I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, from cleaning up Puget Sound to developing a diverse and clean energy mix for Washington State."
In other statewide races, the Washigton Conservation Voters have endorsed Republican Bill Finkbeiner for Lieutenant Governor and Democrats Jay Inslee for Governor and Bob Ferguson for Attorney General.
