Schneider Earns Sierra Club Endorsement for Commitment to Environmental Issues

Statement

Today, Democratic Congressional Nominee Brad Schneider (IL-10) earned the Sierra Club's endorsement for his strong support of environmental protections and clean air and water standards, while his opponent, Republican Congressman Bob Dold, has repeatedly voted to weaken environmental protections. This is the latest endorsement for Schneider that previously went to Congressman Dold's predecessor, Mark Kirk. The Sierra Club previously endorsed Kirk, the former Republican Congressman, when he ran in the 10th District, before now supporting Schneider.

Congressman Dold voted along with the radical Republicans in Congress to slash EPA funding, while simultaneously voting to preserve loopholes for corporate polluters and make it easier for oil companies to drill recklessly in sensitive ecological areas. Time and again in the 112th Congress, Rep. Dold has placed the interests of the largest oil corporations and companies that ship jobs overseas above those of the next generation by weakening environmental standards for carbon emissions, airborne gases like sulfur dioxide, and water pollutants like arsenic and mercury.

"We've found a strong ally for conservation and clean, renewable energy in Brad Schneider, and we're proud to endorse him," said Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club's Illinois Chapter. "Essential environmental protections and wildlife are under attack in Congress, and the politicians have not done enough to protect our environment. Brad is a thoughtful and committed advocate that we need to defend our environment, protect our climate, and preserve our natural resources and wildlife."

"As a father and a small businessman, Brad understands just how important responsible stewardship of our natural resources is, and how vital protecting our environment is for the sake of the next generation," said Barbara Klipp, Sierra Club Political Chair of the Woods and Wetlands Group. "We have every confidence that Brad will be the change we need in Washington and that he will work hard to protect the Lakes and promote energy innovation, reducing our dependence on harmful fossil fuels. Brad has shown us a vision to lead Lake County, to create green jobs and protect our environment for future generations."

"I am running because protecting our precious natural resources like the Great Lakes should not be threatened by a right-wing majority in Congress that values radical ideology over science," said Schneider, a Deerfield small businessman. "I am honored to have the Sierra Club's endorsement because we must overcome the anti-conservationist sentiment in Washington that would have people believe that funding the EPA and regulating toxins in our air and water are what got us into this economic mess, rather than two wars, enormous tax breaks for the wealthy, and one of the largest financial meltdowns in history."

This is the latest high-profile organization to endorse the Democrat after endorsing Kirk in the past; the list includes the Human Rights Campaign, the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and the League of Conservation Voters.

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