For Immediate Release
Contact: Rosa Hance, rosa.hance@mdsierra.org, 202-808-4233
Sierra Club Endorses John King for Governor
John King is the environmental champion Maryland needs to meet the challenges of the climate crisis
(Riverdale, MD) Today the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter announced its endorsement of John King for Governor. John King has an unmatched mastery of environmental, climate and justice concerns, and as governor will take a whole-government approach to solving the problems we face as a coastal state. He is a teacher at heart, and his passion and care for our children and our shared future comes through clearly. As Governor, King will bring a strong background to the role – including his experience managing a budget larger than the state of Maryland's and a vision for a future that is bright with opportunity and economic dignity for all.
“We are facing a climate emergency, collapse of biodiversity, plastic pollution crisis all while seeing attacks nationwide on civil liberties like access to voting and women’s reproductive rights. John King knows exactly what’s at stake and is ready to proactively meet the challenges head on.” says Rosa Hance, chair of the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club.
“I am honored to be endorsed by Sierra Club, an organization that is championing efforts to protect our environment and take ambitious action on climate in Maryland and beyond. A King-Siri Administration will make Maryland a leader in the fight against climate change, achieve net zero emissions by 2035, protect the bay, and reverse long standing systemic environmental injustice. I look forward to working with organizations including Sierra Club and with communities across the state to achieve those goals and build a brighter, healthier future for all,” said John King.
King has deep roots in Maryland and has African American and Puerto Rican heritage. His experience ranges from a social studies teacher who overcame numerous challenges and rose to become Obama’s US Secretary of Education and later President, CEO and on many boards in the non-profit sector. He founded Strong Future Maryland, known for its advocacy for equity and sustainability across the education, government and a Net-Zero green economy. Michelle Siri, the executive director of the Women's Law Center of Maryland, and first generation Iranian American is an excellent choice as his running mate for lieutenant governor.
“It’s great that so many candidates are talking about climate change and their plans to address it. John King stands out above the crowd because he has a deep understanding and strong passion to get the necessary things done,” said Maryland Political Chair Rich Norling. “In fact, through Strong Future Maryland he has already been working in recent years on solutions to the climate crisis and environmental justice.”
The Sierra Club’s endorsement team researched records, reviewed questionnaires, and conducted interviews with nine candidates for governor over a period of several months. We were grateful and encouraged that so many candidates took the time to respond thoughtfully and considered the needs of the environmental and impacted communities around the state. We look forward to helping elect a true environmental champion and first person of Afro-Latino heritage to Maryland’s highest office.
You can learn more about King’s climate plan here
Sierra Club endorsements in Maryland are listed on the organization’s website at https://www.sierraclub.org/maryland/2022-election-endorsements. Please follow the Sierra Club on social media @sierraclubmd for more updates on environmental endorsements.