This article was originally published by Susan Cover in Spectrum News.
HALLOWELL — With the June 9 primary less than eight weeks away, the Sierra Club of Maine announced Wednesday that it is endorsing three candidates in the Democratic primary for governor.
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Senate President Troy Jackson, and former House Speaker Hannah Pingree all received the group’s backing.
“All three candidates have demonstrated over the years an unwavering commitment to sustainability, climate action and environmental justice,” said Emma Conrad, Sierra Club of Maine political chair.
Conrad said it is unusual to endorse three candidates, but the state’s ranked-choice voting system allows for multiple options. They are urging supporters to rank those three candidates in whatever order they choose.
Voters in June will pick and rank five candidates in the Democratic primary for governor. In addition to Bellows, Jackson and Pingree, Dr. Nirav Shah and Angus King III will be on the ballot.
The Wednesday endorsement also highlighted an alliance of sorts among Bellows, Jackson and Pingree. The three — all of whom served in the state Legislature — are urging their supporters to rank them among the top three.
“Of course, each of us wants to be ranked No. 1, but if we’re not somebody’s No. 1, we want to be their No. 2,” Bellows said. “I think ranked-choice voting creates partnerships on important issues. We have a lot of mutual respect for each other.”
Pingree said ranked-choice voting gives candidates the option to run a more positive campaign.
“We have worked together for a long time,” she said. “We are truly friends.”
Jackson agreed, saying all of them have pushed to allow ranked choice voting to be used in state-level general elections as well. But just recently, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court struck down an attempt by Democrats to extend the voting system into the fall.
“It is a lot nicer to be able to work with each other as opposed to fighting and stuff like that,” he said.
During the announcement along the Kennebec River in Hallowell, all three emphasized their accomplishments — and plans moving forward — related to environmental issues.
Bellows said she wants to launch a “green New Deal for Maine” to invest in solar, heat pumps and weatherization for low-income Mainers.
“My green New Deal will also lower electricity rates by holding the power companies accountable and capping profits at 6%,” she said.
Jackson emphasized his respect for the environment and the memories he’s created with family in the St. John Valley.
“We need a governor who understands that protecting our environment isn’t just about pristine landscapes and idyllic pictures for tourists,” he said. “It’s about protecting our families in the places that we call home.”
Pingree, who previously led the governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, said federal rollbacks of environmental policy means governors will have to create their own programs.
“When federal leadership fails to protect the clean air, the clean water, our health and a livable planet, it falls to states to hold the line,” she said.
