Garamendi Earns Sierra Club Support; Third Major Environmental Endorsement

Joins California League of Conservation Voters, Vote the Coast, in Backing Clinton’s Former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Interior.

Sacramento, CA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor Candidate Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi announced that the Sierra Club of California has endorsed his campaign. The Sierra Club, along with the California League of Conservation Voters and Vote the Coast, is at the forefront of the environmental fight in California. All three organizations are backing Garamendi, who protected our nation’s natural resources while serving as President Clinton’s Deputy Secretary of the Interior.

Throughout my life in public service I have worked to protect our environment for future generations. I am fully committed to developing innovative solutions to environmental challenges and protecting our resources from corporate greed,” Garamendi said. “That’s why I am so honored to have the support of our state’s leading environmental organizations and activists throughout California.”

As a State Legislator, Garamendi authored laws creating California’s first solar, wind and energy tax credits. He also authored a law to provide communities with funds to restore toxic waste sites to productive land. As President Clinton’s Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Interior he negotiated solutions to water disputes throughout California, saved Headwaters redwood forest, and implemented Riverside’s conservation plan -- making it a national habitat conservation model. Finally, Garamendi oversaw the Department’s eight bureaus and helped to develop our national global warming policy with Vice President Al Gore.

I will turn the Lieutenant Governor’s office into a powerful advocate, protecting our coast, land and water from corporate polluters,” Garamendi said. “I will advocate for research and innovative solutions to reduce green house gases and harmful environmental changes, including global warming.”