Preserving and protecting our environment is a political process

Elections

We work on electing environmentally minded legislators with the hope that they'll enact the environmental protections our communities need. Our volunteers are actively involved in endorsing pro-environment candidates and then working for their election. Find our more here.

Lobbying

During our legislative session and in other decision-making forums we engage as grassroots lobbyists, working to inform and motivate our legislators to take action for clean air and clean water. Get involved here.

Interested in helping environmental champions get elected?

Fill out our elections volunteer form
Donate to Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club PAC
Contact our political chair, Richard Barish at richard.barish@gmail.com

Recent political news

2021 Election Roundup (with Albuquerque runoffs still pending)

November 29, 2021

Thanks to everyone who voted in the 2021 local elections, and a super big thanks to all of you who got out and worked for the election of our endorsed candidates. The results were mostly good, but with some disappointments ...

Elections

If you live in Albuquerque Council Districts 7 or 9, it’s urgent you vote in the December 7 runoff!

November 29, 2021

If you live in Albuquerque District 7 or District 9, it’s urgent that you vote! This is a nonpartisan election, but both of the candidates endorsed by the Sierra Club are Democrats running against Republicans. In the last City runoff election, the Republican vote dropped off 18% from the general election vote, while the Democratic vote dropped off 32%. That’s the difference between winning and losing these races. So far, in Rob Grilley’s race, Republicans are outvoting Democrats. 46.7% of the votes have been cast by Republicans, while only 40% have been cast by Democrats ...

Central New Mexico Group, Elections

Endorsements for 2021 Local Elections

October 5, 2021

Election day is November 2, and in odd-numbered years like this, we vote on non-partisan elections, which include municipal and certain other local elections. The Rio Grande Chapter has endorsed mayoral and city council candidates in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces. In addition, the Chapter has endorsed candidates for the Boards of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, which do great conservation work at the local level. Finally, we have endorsed candidates for the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Directors, which is ground zero for equity issues and climate education. Read about the endorsements here, and please vote! ...

Elections

Wins and losses for climate justice, lands and wildlife

March 20, 2021

Camilla Feibelman, camilla.feibelman@sierraclub.org, (505) 715-8388

Santa Fe, NM — The unique 2021 legislative session produced significant environment, climate and justice legislation, all of it signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

“We saw legislators innovate and find ways to pass historic legislation despite unprecedented obstacles. We also watched committee strangleholds block legislation critical for New Mexicans’ health and wellbeing. And yet, with the governor’s signature, our public lands will be safe from dangerous traps and poisons; communities around the Gila River will be able to embark on local conservation projects; our civil rights will be actionable; communities have access to creating their own renewable energy; and the path for a just transition to a sustainable economy is clearer.”

The ...

Legislation, Uncategorized

Environmental community praises budget increases for NMED, EMNRD, outdoor recreation

March 19, 2021

A coalition of environmental organizations praised efforts by the state legislature to increase funding levels for key agencies like the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), including the State Parks Division, and the Office of Outdoor Recreation ...

Legislation, Press Release

HB9 Climate Solutions Act Introduced

January 29, 2021

Community leaders across New Mexico today applauded the introduction of the Climate Solutions Act (HB 9), highlighting its science-based approach and focus on historically disadvantaged communities. They called on state legislators to protect public health and New Mexico’s air and water resources from climate change and to accelerate a just transition to a more diversified and resilient economy built by and for everyday New Mexicans ...

Climate Change, Latest News, Legislation

2021 Legislative Priorities

January 26, 2021

The 2021 New Mexico Legislative session runs from January 19 through March 20. This post contains are summaries and links for some of our top priority bills ...