As some states start early voting, we are releasing more endorsements of climate champions in Georgia, Louisiana, and New Orleans.

Georgia

• Kelsea Bond for Atlanta City Council District 2: Kelsea Bond is a union member, a community leader in the movement to Stop Cop City, and the chair of Atlanta DSA. As a councilor, Kelsea will champion expanding public transit including bus rapid transit and light rail, legalize dense, multi-family and mixed-use housing that will keep costs low for working families, and advocate against the construction of costly, energy inefficient data centers in Atlanta.
• Rohit Malhotra for Atlanta City Council President: Rohit is a well known community leader and advocate for the people of Atlanta. As Council President, his leadership will stand as a barrier to any new fossil fuel infrastructure in Atlanta while accelerating the transition to a clean energy future. Rohit knows that by embracing a Green New Deal, we can cut pollution, expand green spaces, and create thousands of good-paying jobs. As City Council President, Rohit will keep the promise made to Atlanta residents to build the Beltline Rail system which will provide clean reliable public transit to the city.
• Perrin Bostic for Atlanta City Council District 3: Perrin is an experienced advocate who recently served on Senator Raphael Warnock’s staff and worked previously as the Director of Constituent Services to District 3. As City Councilor, he will ensure that Atlanta invests in green infrastructure and renewable energy that protects residents’ health, creates good jobs, and keeps the community strong for generations to come. Perrin Bostic will invest in public transit, infrastructure improvements, and economic development and strategically safeguard against gentrification and displacement.
• Sam Foster for Marietta Mayor: Sam Foster is a bright young community leader in Marietta and is stepping up to challenge an incumbent Republican mayor who is 54 years his senior. As Mayor, Sam Foster will strategically focus growth in already developed areas and protect green spaces from sprawl and the threat of data center expansion. Foster will invest in green infrastructure to keep the city cooler and more resilient as GA faces rising temperatures and heavier storms. Sam is a champion of public transit and bike infrastructure and as Mayor, he will work to make the streets of Marietta clean, safe and accessible for all residents.

Louisiana

New Orleans: New Orleans sits in one of the few fossil fuel producing states in the country and reaps the consequences of the climate crisis, getting hit hard by hurricanes and rising sea levels. With its mayoral and city council elections this fall, residents have an opportunity to elect leaders who will prioritize clean energy and resilient infrastructure. 

• Danyelle Christmas for New Orleans City Council District E: Danyelle grew up in District E, which includes the 9th Ward where the worst flooding of Hurricane Katrina took place 20 years ago. The impacts can still be seen and felt in the community which has been chronically disinvested in during the past two decades. As a City Councilor, Christmas will ensure that investments are made in District E and that more toxic chemical plants are not built. Danyelle will stand up to Entergy and ensure that bills are affordable and that the city’s energy is reliable and sourced from clean energy.

New Mexico

Albuquerque: After the county’s Air Quality Control Board approved regulation to protect against polluting industries, the current Albuquerque City Council voted to dismantle it. The city has a historic chance to flip the Council to a Democratic majority this year and can reverse this decision to reinstate the Air Quality Control Board! 

• Daniel Leiva for Albuquerque City Council District 1: Daniel is a lifelong Albuquerque resident and child of public educators and immigrants. He has served in the city’s Economic Development Department and as the Vice Chair of the Bernalillo County Dems and is a newly minted lawyer. Daniel has seen first hand in his district that water in the Rio Grande is drying up and as a councilor he will advocate for smart management of natural resources and policies that move the city to 100% green energy in municipal buildings.
• Athenea Allen for Albuquerque City Council District 5: Athenea is running against incumbent Dan Lewis who was hired as the state director of the Asphalt Association just weeks after he lobbied the council to dismantle the Air Quality Control Board that was pushing back against the asphalt industry. As councilor, Athena will be a champion for families and kids, for clean air and water, and for development that respects our environment. On Council, she will work to pass meaningful legislation that advances clean energy and reduces the city’s carbon footprint.