Needless to say, we had our eyes on a lot of critical races last night. But we had a particular few in our sights. Since everyone in America is focused on analyzing the big one, we wanted to run down the results of those races with specific climate implications.
Winning climate votes:
The co-founder of the House Climate Solutions Caucus, Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL-26), is coming back to Congress, having won 53 percent of the vote.
Floridian voters defeated Florida Solar Amendment 1, a constitutional amendment that would have discouraged solar installation in the Sunshine State by clearing the way for power companies to assess fees on solar customers.
Losing climate votes:
Washington State’s carbon tax ballot initiative (I-732) to impose a statewide carbon tax was defeated 58%-42%.
Climate denier Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) won his rematch against former Sen. Russ Feingold.
The chairman of the House Science Committee, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX-21), who rejects that human activity contributes to climate change, won reelection. (Note: we never doubted this…)
Founding member of the Senate Energy and Environment Working Group Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) narrowly lost reelection.
In Utah, Independent conservative presidential candidate and climate realist Evan McMullin underperformed, garnering only 20 percent of the vote.
In the days and weeks ahead, as lawmakers and citizens plot the path forward, the ecoright will continue to advocate for free enterprise solutions to climate change, and we welcome climate realists to our community.