WASHINGTON, DC – This week, LCV Victory Fund state affiliates announced four new candidates to the 2022 Dirty Dozen in the States, which included Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels.

Modeled after LCV Victory Fund’s federal Dirty Dozen, the Dirty Dozen in the States highlights 12 of the worst environmental candidates in the nation at the state and local level. The first six candidates were announced in August. Members of the Dirty Dozen in the States have consistently sided against the environment and are a danger to our democracy. 

The four new candidates are all running for Governor, and were chosen regardless of party affiliation by LCV Victory Fund state affiliates in the Conservation Voter Movement. 

The four new candidates:

  • Wisconsin candidate for Governor Tim Michels 
  • New Mexico candidate for Governor Mark Ronchetti
  • Maryland candidate for Governor Dan Cox
    Connecticut candidate for Governor Bob Stefanowski 

“Governors are going to be the key leaders to decide how we build a clean energy future,” said Pete Maysmith LCV Victory Fund Senior Vice President of Campaigns. “We need leaders who will fight for environmental justice, good paying jobs, and stand up to big polluters. These four candidates would take us in the opposite direction at the worst possible time.”

This year, Congress has made historic progress, passing the Inflation Reduction Act, the strongest climate action in history. Governors will play a key role in implementing the bill’s funding. At the same time, states across the country in 2022 have also passed vital climate and clean energy legislation. Because of state and local action, 40 percent of the country now lives in a place committed to 100 percent clean energy, with much of the progress coming through Governors’ executive action. This also comes at a time when our democracy is under attack. Governors play a key role overseeing the vote, with some appointing secretaries of state who ensure all votes are counted and that every voter has equal access to the ballot. 

Wisconsin candidate Tim Michels was nominated by Wisconsin Conservation Voters Independent Expenditure Committee.

While Tim Michels was leading the Michels Corporation, the company has faced violations and decades of allegations of ignoring unsafe working conditions that range from harassment to death on the job. 

The Michels Corporation builds pipelines for major oil companies, including the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. His opponent, Governor Tony Evers has championed several major climate initiatives including the state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan. Wisconsin Conservation Voters IEC believes reelecting Governor Evers will ensure Wisconsin stays a climate leader and invests in clean energy jobs across the state.

Over 30 state Conservation Voter Movement partners work to determine the 2022 “Dirty Dozen in the States.” The candidates named are some of the most anti-environment politicians running in competitive state-level races for governor, state senate and house, municipal seats, or commissions this cycle.

The “Dirty Dozen in the States” is modeled after LCV Victory Fund’s “Dirty Dozen,” which has targeted candidates for federal office (with occasional exceptions)— regardless of party affiliation — who consistently side against the environment, and are running in races in which LCV Victory Fund has a serious chance to affect the outcome. 

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