On Thursday, the political committee of the Sierra Club’s Los Padres Chapter and Latino advocacy group PUEBLO both announced their respective endorsements for the upcoming November 4 election.

The Sierra Club, a left-leaning organization that focuses on environment and nature conservation issues, have supported candidates whom its members consider to be especially aware of those issues. For the California Senate’s hotly contested 19th District, the Sierra Club picked Hannah-Beth Jackson over opponent Tony Strickland. The Sierra Club has supported many of these candidates from the beginning as a result of their decided pro-environmental stance and Hannah-Beth Jackson is one such politician, explained Fran Farina, co-chair of the Los Padres chapter’s political committee. “In the six years Jackson was in Assembly, she had close to 100 percent support of environmental issues,” Farina noted.

The Sierra Club supports Lois Capps for California’s 23rd Congressional District. Pedro Nava is its choice for the 35th District of the California State Assembly.

The committee also endorsed Doreen Farr as candidate for Santa Barbara County 3rd District supervisor over her opponent Steve Pappas. “Farr is known to us from her days on the Planning Commission.” Farina said. “She was a strong supporter of the environment.”

The Sierra Club’s chosen representatives for the Goleta City Council are Margaret Connell and Ed Easton. Farina explained Easton's choice by saying that the Sierra Club is interested in the candidate’s involvement within its community. “Ed Easton is active with Sierra Club and the Gaviota Coast Conservancy,” said Farina.

“We have been following the Goleta Water District for years,” said Farina, and this has affected Sierra Club's choice of the candidates Lauren Hanson, Bill Rosen, and Jim Marino. “Rosen is an attorney who is very familiar with policy,” Farina said, “[And] Lauren Hansen has devoted time to monitoring board meetings and being familiar with the issues.”

Finally, the Sierra Club’s Carpintaria City Council choices are Chuck McQuary and Kathleen Reddington.

PUEBLO, which often backs candidates who have claimed to support rights for low-income families in Santa Barbara County endorsed both candidates and ballot measures.

Its endorsement board encouraged voting "yes" on the transportation-benefiting sales tax Measure A citing that it will help create safer routes to school, increased public transportation, and improve overall road safety without increasing taxes.

PUEBLO also endorsed a "yes" vote on Measure G, which it argues will lower current communications and video system taxes while still providing funds for park and recreation projects, fire and police departments, after school programs, and senior services.

Doreen Farr is PUEBLO’s pick for 3rd District supervisor. The group states she will fight for increased public transportation, affordable housing, and services for those in need. In a written statement, the organization opined that Farr will take a stand on important environmental issues as well.

PUEBLO endorsed Annette Cordero, Susan Deacon, and Jaqueline Inda for Santa Barbara School Board, arguing that these three candidates will create tangible changes to the current Santa Barbara School District. According to PUEBLO, these candidates are committed to quality education for every child, controlling gang problems through fair and effective programs, as well as encouraging the school system to respect the rights of students and parents.

Finally, PUEBLO also chose Margaret Connell as its pick for Goleta City Council. Connell has been a long-term PUEBLO supporter and advocates providing user-friendly public transportation, increasing affordable housing, and creating more recreation and parks for seniors, adults, and kids.

Related Links

• PUEBLO
• The Los Padres Chapter of the Sierra Club
• More Election 2008 coverage

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