Sierra Club announces early endorsements for Minneapolis Mayor and 5 City Council Wards
The Sierra Club is proud to announce its first round of endorsements in the Minneapolis municipal races:
R.T. Rybak for MAYOR
CITY COUNCIL
Ward 1 - Paul Ostrow
Ward 3 - Diane Hofstede
Ward 5 - Don Samuels
Ward 8 - Jeff Hayden
Ward 11 - Scott Benson
"These candidates will be the best advocates for urban policies that promote clean air and water, greener government and livable communities, for our families and for our future," said Jill Boogren, who chairs the Sierra Club's Minneapolis Political Committee. "We are very excited to give them our endorsement."
Candidates were selected by a two-committee process. First, they were screened by the Minneapolis Political Committee, which is comprised of Sierra Club members asked to participate through the Club's newsletter and email network as well as by other volunteers.
With input from Sierra Club conservation committees, the Minneapolis Political Committee developed a questionnaire covering a full range of Minneapolis environmental issues including transit, a vital riverfront, clean water, alternative energy, environmental justice & green government.
The Minneapolis Political Committee evaluated the candidates and made its recommendations to the Executive Committee, the elected governing body of the Sierra Club North Star Chapter which has final authority over endorsement decisions.
"These candidates expressed the most passionate commitment to the environment," said Boogren. "They have both a strong grasp of the range of environmental issues that touch our daily lives as well as the ability to reach out to people throughout our neighborhoods."
The Sierra Club is still considering endorsements for additional City Council wards and the Park Board.
The Sierra Club is a non-partisan conservation organization with 20,000 members in Minnesota.