Among the races to watch in 2008 is the 21st Congressional District, where Rep. Michael McNulty is not seeking re-election.The New York League of Conservation Voters flexed its political muscles in 2007 – now we intend to put them to good use in 2008.

Next year is expected to be a pivotal time for the environment, with the presidential, congressional and state races on the ballot. Public opinion polls continue to show that voters are tiring of political gridlock on climate change and other environmental issues, and more than ever, they are planning to take their frustration to the polling booth. That momentum creates an unprecedented opportunity for the League to help elect pro-environment candidates and hold their feet to the fire on their campaign promises once they are in office.

Last month’s elections proved – with the help of supporters like you – that we can do it. In 2007, the League broke its fundraising goals, raising a six-figure sum to support “green” candidates in local elections in Westchester County, Long Island and the Capital District. We sent nearly 100,000 pieces of mail, launched an aggressive advertising campaign and reached tens of thousands of voters with phone calls and e-mails in support of three targeted candidates, all of whom won. It has only been a few weeks since the election, but we are already sitting down the winners to chart a greener course for their communities and demonstrate that we are looking for results.

And that's just the start. We are already ramping up for what is promising to be the most anticipated election season in years. Besides the presidential election, key New York congressional races are expected to be competitive. Seats to watch include the 19th District, where U.S. Rep. John Hall won by a small margin in 2006; the 20th District, currently held by U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand; the 21st District, where U.S. Rep. Michael McNulty recently announced he would not run for re-election; and the 25th District, currently represented by U.S. Rep. Jim Walsh.

In addition, 2008 is shaping up to be an exciting year in the state Legislative races, with the balance of power so close between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. Among the races to watch are the Third District, now represented by Sen. Caesar Trunzo; the 15th District, where Serphin Maltese is the current senator; the 35th District seat currently held by Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins; Sen. David Valesky's seat in the 49th District; the 50th District seat where John DiFrancesco is the current senator; and the 56th District seat, now held by Sen. Joe Robach.

It will be a crucial time for the New York League of Conservation Voters to translate voters' demand for action on the environment into maximum turnout at the voting booth. We are also hoping the close races will translate into serious environmental progress in Albany. That's why we are laying the groundwork for the biggest year ever at the League: We are hoping to raise three times as much as we did in 2007.

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman hit the nail on the head in a recent opinion piece when he observed: "The greenest thing you can do is this: Choose the right leaders. It is so much more important to change your leaders than change your light bulbs."

Help us do exactly that by making a donation to the New York League of Conservation Voters today. You can click here or contact our Development Director Hilary Wilkes at (212) 361-6350, ext. 204 to contribute by telephone.

Newsletter Issue

• Ecopolitics Monthly --- December 2007