Christine Clarke Refuses Fossil Fuel Money For Campaign In D-26

Patch.com

CALDWELLS, NJ — A state assembly candidate in New Jersey has taken the "No Fossil Fuel Money" challenge as she gears up for this November's general election.

Recently, Christine Clarke – a Democratic Party candidate in the state's 26th District – announced that her campaign will be refusing donations from the "fossil fuel industry." It's being done in solidarity with a national campaign, which more than 1,700 legislators from 48 states have signed since 2017.

According to Clarke, the pledge attempts to stymie the corrupting influence of corporate polluters' money by rejecting their campaign contributions. Candidates signing the pledge promise to their constituents that they will not knowingly take contributions from the fossil fuel industry and will either return the money if received, or donate it to climate-focused organizations working on protective policies and conservative stewardship of the planet's natural resources.

Clarke offered the following statement about her pledge:

"Anthropogenic climate impacts are causing real harm here in New Jersey and around the world. Pollution is exacerbating the displacement crisis by way of food and water scarcity, floods and wildfires, elevated risk of severe weather events and more. Millions of people have already had to move this year. Here in New Jersey, we are ground zero for impacts and have seen more warming than any other state in the continental U.S. Climate change isn't a far-off future issue we can postpone dealing with. It's here now. Signing this pledge is another promise to voters that my vote is not for sale, and when we win on November 5, I will work hard to protect our families while advocating a fair and just energy transition, welcoming the job opportunities and economic growth to be found in the booming renewable energy industry."

This November, local voters will choose between Clarke, Laura Fortgang, a fellow Democratic Party member, and incumbent Assembly members Jay Webber and BettyLou DeCroce, both Republicans.

The state's 26th District includes the following towns in Essex, Morris and Passaic counties: Butler, Fairfield, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Rockaway Township, Verona, West Caldwell and West Milford.