National Environmental Groups Endorse Will Lawrence, Donavan McKinney for U.S. House

Today, Food & Water Action, Oil Change Action, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Climate Hawks Vote, GrayPAC, and Friends of the Earth Action endorsed Will Lawrence and Donavan McKinney for U.S. House in Michigan’s 7th and 13th Congressional District, respectively.

The announcement comes as Michigan reels from over a dozen widely-opposed hyper-scale data center proposals across 11 counties. Both candidates support a nationwide data center moratorium proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has announced plans to introduce accompanying House legislation imminently.

Lawrence is a long time climate organizer and co-founder of the nationwide Sunrise Movement. In contrast, his primary opponent Bridget Brink held a campaign fundraiser last week hosted by the head of international government relations at ExxonMobil. McKinney is a state Representative representing his native northeast Detroit, and an outspoken proponent of environmental justice. In the state legislature, McKinney fought for and secured important advancements in water accessibility and affordability, including over $600 million in funding to replace lead water pipes in the Detroit metro area. Both candidates are vocal about ending fossil fuel expansion, holding the fossil fuel industry accountable, and protecting Michiganders’ health, air and water from the climate crisis and polluting corporations.

Sam Bernhardt, director político de Food & Water Action dicho:

“Will Lawrence and Donavan McKinney are environmental justice champions with the progressive vision needed to stop data centers’ assault on Michigan’s air, water, communities and climate. As data center developers seek to deepen corporate polluters’ stranglehold on the state, we are proud to endorse Lawrence and McKinney to fight for a better future for Michiganders.”

Oil Change Action Campaigns Manager Allie Rosenbluth dicho:

“At a moment when utility companies and corporate data center developers are trying to lock in decades of new fossil fuel infrastructure, Michigan needs leaders willing to stand up to polluters and fight for a renewable energy future. Will Lawrence and Donavan McKinney have both demonstrated that kind of leadership. As signers of the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge, they have committed to putting people ahead of fossil fuel profits and advancing solutions that match the scale of the climate crisis. From McKinney’s work championing environmental justice and a Green New Deal to Lawrence’s record of climate organizing and holding polluters accountable, both candidates understand that protecting communities means ending our dependence on fossil fuels. We are proud to endorse them for Congress.”

Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund National Political Director Brett Hartl dicho:

“Michigan is a bellwether state for how our country will address the biggest environmental challenges of the day, including protecting our air and water from polluters, addressing the scourge of reckless AI data center sprawl, and protecting our climate. Donavan McKinney and Will Lawrence will stand up to the billionaire class and make sure that each and every person in this country can live in a healthy environment free from pollution, and we can’t wait to see what they do in Congress.”  

Climate Hawks Vote founder RL Miller dicho: 

“Both Will Lawrence and Donavan McKinney are the choices of grassroots climate activists living in their Michigan districts, for good reasons. Will is an original founder of the Sunrise Movement, and Donavan has led on environmental justice in the state legislature. We’re excited to endorse them both.”

GrayPAC Democracy Campaigns Manager Mike Johnson dicho: 

“In America’s heartland, voters are desperate for leaders who will put their communities and families first. Will Lawrence and Donavan McKinney will be fighters who stand up to polluters and special interests that seek to harm Michigan’s way of life. 

Friends of the Earth Action Director of Public Affairs Ariel Moger dicho:  

“Michigan families deserve clean air, clean water, and a livable climate, not a state handed over to fossil fuel interests and unchecked AI data centers. Will Lawrence and Donavan McKinney understand what’s at stake, and they have the backbone to do something about it. Friends of the Earth Action is thrilled to endorse them.” 

Contacto de prensa: Lindsay Tice, 202-783-7400, ext. 8403 , [email protected]

Acción por los Alimentos y el Agua, El brazo político y de cabildeo del grupo nacional de defensa Food & Water Watch moviliza a la ciudadanía para construir poder político e impulsar soluciones audaces e inquebrantables a los problemas más acuciantes de alimentación, agua y clima de nuestro tiempo. Trabajamos para proteger la salud de las personas, las comunidades y la democracia del creciente poder destructivo de los intereses económicos más poderosos. 

Acción de cambio de aceite, una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(4), se dedica a apoyar un liderazgo climático real, exponer los verdaderos costos de los combustibles fósiles y construir un futuro energético justo, equitativo y renovable en los Estados Unidos.

El Fondo de Acción del Centro Es una organización nacional sin fines de lucro que aboga por leyes y legisladores que impulsen una agenda ambiental progresista. El Center Action Fund es la filial 501(c)(4) del Center for Biological Diversity, pero los nombres de estas organizaciones no son intercambiables. Este comunicado de prensa proviene del Center Action Fund, no del Center for Biological Diversity. 

Votación de los Halcones Climáticos Trabajamos para construir poder político de base para el movimiento climático... y ganamos nuestras elecciones. 

GrayPAC Es el comité de acción política de Third Act, que moviliza a los estadounidenses mayores de 60 años para elegir líderes y apoyar políticas que garanticen un futuro sostenible y dinámico para nuestra democracia y nuestro clima.

Amigos de la Tierra (Acción), Friends of the Earth (Action), Inc. lucha por políticas ambientales transformadoras e impulsa el debate político para que la justicia y el medio ambiente sean prioritarios. Friends of the Earth (Action), Inc. es la filial 501(c)(4) de Friends of the Earth US, pero los nombres de estas organizaciones no son intercambiables. Este comunicado de prensa es de Friends of the Earth (Action), Inc., no de Friends of the Earth.  

No autorizado por ningún candidato ni comité de campaña.