Three national and one international environmental groups have endorsed Democratic Representative Summer Lee (PA-12) in her re-election campaign.
The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Food & Water Action, Oil Change U.S., and Zero Hour voiced their support for Lee who will face off against Democrats Bhavini Patel and Laurie MacDonald in the April 23 primary.
Congresswoman Lee has become a prominent advocate for climate action, actively opposing the existence of fracking wells in Allegheny County and championing a nationwide shift away from fossil fuels. Notably, she stands out as one of the few members of Congress representing districts with fracking operations, advocating for a ban on this environmentally detrimental drilling practice.
“We’ve made a lot of progress cleaning up Allegheny County’s water and air in the past years, and some of those victories have been driven by the job that Summer Lee has done advocating for environmental and climate justice,” said Food & Water Action Political Director Sam Bernhardt. “There’s still a lot of work to be done in the fight for environmental justice. We know we can win if we send Summer Lee back to Congress.”
Zero Hour, an international youth-led environmental movement, is backing Lee saying she is a champion for environmental justice who has always fought for communities impacted by pollution.
“She is an ally to the youth and we are proud to endorse her for re-election,” said Executive Director Zanagee Artis.
Stephanie Kurose, Northeast Political Director for the Center for Biological Diversity Action, endorsed the incumbent saying “Summer Lee has proven she is willing to stand up to big polluters and fight for a cleaner, safer world for us all.”
“Her dedication to standing up to deadly big-money interests — from the oil and gas industry to the military industrial complex — makes her one of the best members of Congress and a crucial voice for democracy,” said Collin Rees, political director of Oil Change U.S.
Lee raised $1 million in the fourth quarter, as reported by the Pennsylvania Capital Star, with the majority of donations being less than $250. The campaign has not accepted any contributions from corporate political action committees (PACs).
The first Black woman ever elected to represent Pennsylvania in Congress, Lee has garnered endorsements from the U.S. House Democratic leadership, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), Whip Katherine Clark (MA-15), and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33).
