Yesterday, Sierra Club’s Hawaii chapter announced their endorsements in the 2014 election. The list of Maui County candidates who got the nod was largely expected, though there were a few surprises.
For instance, in 2012, the Sierra Club endorsed 5th District State Senator Shan Tsutsui, 6th District State Senator Roz Baker and 7th District State Senator J. Kalani English. This year, none of those individuals won the Sierra Club’s endorsement (though Tsutsui has moved over to the Lt. Gov.’s office, the Club made no endorsement in that race).
Instead, the Sierra Club has opted to endorse current 5th District State Senator Gil Keith-Agaran and Democrat Terez Amato, who is challenging Baker in the 6th District State Senate race.
In local house races, the Sierra Club is backing just two candidates: James “Kimo” Apana, who’s challenging 9th District Representative Justin Woodson, and 11th District Rep. Kaniela Ing.
Of course, there was no surprise in the endorsement for Maui County Mayor. The environmental organization chose Tamara Paltin, the longtime Save Honolua activist and current Maui County lifeguard.
“Candidates endorsed by the Sierra Club understand that a healthy environment is the foundation of a strong economy,” said Sierra Club Hawaii Vice Chair Roberta Brashear-Kaulfers in the June 12 press release. “We are particularly interested in candidates who will fight to make sure our utility (HEI) allows greater levels of rooftop solar onto the grid.”
According to the press release, the endorsements came about after organization officials reviewed candidates’ environmental voting records and the candidates themselves filled out “detailed surveys.” Those receiving a two-thirds majority vote from at least two Club committees of elected leaders got the seal of approval.
You can read all Sierra Club Hawaii’s endorsements here.
Photo of Tamara Paltin: J. Anthony Martinez Photography/Paltin campaign
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