November 2022 Voter Guide
Among all the issues facing voters this fall, we think climate change is fundamental.
A stable climate is essential to agriculture, fisheries, forests, clean air and water, and other natural and developed systems. These make possible the prosperity, opportunities, and aspirations of a civil society–food supply, energy availability, transportation systems, education, recreation, health care, civil rights, representative government, etc. Even as prosperity and civil societies around the globe are assaulted on multiple fronts, our governments and economies have not come close to steadily and effectively addressing climate instability.
Governor of California
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California League of Conservation Voters score: 85/100
Regularly emphasizes the need for climate action now, and has called for and signed budgets and legislation to address climate change: vastly increasing offshore wind development, energy efficient construction, reducing methane leaks, moving from fossil fuels, and carbon sequestration through natural/working lands. Also, to deal with climate change effects, supports an array of water saving/development measures. After initially cutting the wildfire fighting budget and overstating prevention efforts, he has increased that funding as part of broader climate efforts but remains widely criticized on the subject. -
California League of Conservation Voter score: 11/100
Regarding climate, focuses on fires, sponsoring legislation requiring more firefighters and establishing a Firefighter Appreciation Month. Also sponsoring a requirement for utilities to burn biomass [which can be renewable but emits CO2] and promotes both fossil fuels and clean energy. Supports water storage. Says “Climate change is not the primary cause of California’s recent super fires…even more important is our decision to ignore forest fuels.”
U.S. Senate
With its filibuster that allows a minority to block legislation, the Senate is designed to resist change. A strong majority of senators who understand climate change and are willing to rein it in is necessary if we want to meaningfully address it.
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League of Conservation Voters score: 100/100
Opens his “Environment” page with “Alex is determined to fight the existential threat of the climate crisis.” His statements and votes address both effects and causes of climate change: strengthen the grid, enhance water infrastructure, build resilience against weather extremes, invest in clean energy, end reliance on fossil fuels. -
Does not mention climate change, the environment, or energy on his campaign website, or, apparently, in other accessible venues.
U.S. House of Representatives
This is probably your most important vote if you want to reduce climate change. Congress writes the most far-reaching rules for pollution and its regulation, and House Representatives are our most localized voice at the national level.
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League of Conservation Voters score: 2/100
Consistently calls for oil and gas development. Asserts an “all of the above'' energy strategy but continues to call renewables “less reliable and more expensive.” Opposes federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, asserting that climate change is “largely outside of governmental control.” Sidesteps whether fossil fuels cause climate change. Supports dealing with some effects of climate change–reducing forest fuels and building Sites Reservoir–but does not deal with causes.
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Like the incumbent he favors reducing forest fuels and increasing water storage–Sites Reservoir, Shasta Lake, and underground. Clearly recognizes the need to address climate change: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our century, and we need to act. 𝑵𝑶𝑾… [It] will impose increasing economic costs, especially in water-dependent California.”
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor has the political standing of the state’s second-highest executive; serves as Acting Governor whenever the Governor is absent from the state, chairs the California Commission for Economic Development, is President of the Senate when casting a tie-breaking vote, and serves on numerous boards and commissions, including as Chair of the State Lands Commission and boards of both university systems.
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Worked on the Paris Climate Accord as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary. Lists climate change as a priority issue. Promises to “protect the environment and ensure California is a global leader in the effort to fight climate change.” Opposes offshore oil drilling. Supports better-paying jobs while protecting the environment.
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Prioritizes public safety, being tough on criminals, supporting law enforcement. Does not list climate change as a priority but recognizes it as a problem. Supports investing in wildfire defense and local, rather than state, water regulation. Opposes offshore oil drilling. No definitive statement regarding climate change.
State Attorney General
The State Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer of the state and has broad powers to file civil actions or proceedings in regard to enforcing the law, preserving order, or protecting public rights and interests.
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League of Conservation Voters score: 99/100
Focuses on social justice regarding poorer communities who suffer disproportionately from big polluters. He is expanding the Department of Justice’s capacity to prosecute polluters and get justice for those who have been harmed. As AG, has protected and promoted energy efficiency standards. As a State Assemblyman, voted for alternative energy, tax rebates for electric vehicles, and an increase for the state’s renewable energy target.
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Prioritizes various aspects of public safety other than climate related safety issues. No statement on the environment, climate, or energy could be found.
State Assembly for California District 01
Legislative authority and responsibilities of the California State Assembly include passing bills on public policy matters, such as climate change, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes. This is the voter’s most local voice in state policy.
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Prioritizes forest management and above ground water storage mainly for agricultural purposes. “The truth is many fire prevention measures were neglected: we need more clearing out of overgrowth, real fire breaks around residences and businesses, and ensure power lines are maintained correctly…. It’s as simple as this: if our farms don’t have enough water we can’t grow food. Instead of sending billions of gallons of fresh water to the ocean every year, we need to use the funds we already have to increase above ground water storage here in the North State.” No direct climate statement found.
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“Climate change poses existential threats to humanity and the natural environment. The damage it wreaks, from burn scars to dry river beds, are etched into AD1’s landscape. Every resident of AD1 has felt –and will continue to feel– its impact. As a district especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, AD1 must lead on key climate initiatives. The future of the district depends on it.” Priorities include: ensure that state law is safeguarding a clean and reliable water supply for District 1’s residents, industry, and environment; forest health and reforestation; improve management of urban wildlands interface regarding wildfire prevention.
Shasta County Board of Supervisors
County Supervisors, using both local and state resources, oversee numerous services, including public safety, health, family services, zoning, transportation, and the budgets that enable those services.
District 1
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Currently City of Redding council member, former mayor and business owner. She states she took a class on climate change and its effects, and she takes it seriously. Feels the most significant effects of climate change in Shasta County will be less rainfall, thus less water. She says we will be required to focus on water storage and fire mitigation. States if we do a better job at lessening the chances of wildfire we will help prevent unnecessary carbon emissions. She also states that we need to protect and preserve our natural spaces, our tree canopy and our waterways. This is a priority to her.
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Owns and runs a gym. Did not respond to requests for information about his environmental/climate change stance. He is backed by the Liberty Committee which has no environmental stance or, apparently, interest. No personal climate, environment, or energy statements found.
District 5
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Currently mayor of the city of Anderson. With regard to climate change, Baron said that he agrees that the burning of fossil fuels does contribute to climate change, along with other factors, such as wildfires. He believes that local city tree ordinances could be stronger but “need to take everything into consideration, such as what types of trees must be preserved and if there’s enough water to keep them alive.” Believes that state and federal governments should have completed an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) before withholding water from the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District (ACID).
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Currently a salesman, backed by the Liberty Committee. Website states he is “a fiscal conservative, a Constitution originalist and lean Libertarian on social issues'' who wants to bring “the punishment back to crime and punishment.” No statement on environment or climate change.
Redding City Council
Three seats up for election.
The Council establishes city priorities and policies, and oversees city operations including Development, Public Works, and Redding Electric Utility. Note: local and new candidates often lack websites and voting records. We have sought candidate information on climate change from information available through public forums and media sources in which interviewers often ask open questions like “What are your priorities?”
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Emphasizes respectful dealing with one another. Recognizes value of trees for cooling and ecosystem health, supports strengthening the city’s Tree Ordinance, supports capturing methane from green waste for power generation, and wants to reduce the city’s pesticide use. Supports leaving Turtle Bay riverfront as it is. Has written “It is important that we protect our land and water,” and “My husband and I want to be proud of the place we call home, we are leaving to our four daughters.”
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Emphasizes local business and entertainment. Notes “We cannot allow another devastating wildfire…We need to continue to identify ways to promote fire prevention programs and support our fire department.” Supports “balanced” updated Tree Ordinance.
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Developer promoting The Village at Tierra Oaks and Shasta Wine Village. Supports Tree Ordinance update with mitigation fees for tree removal. Supports protecting some riverfront from commercial use.
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Prioritizes ensuring special interest groups do not dictate public policy. “I love trees and I think climate change is serious. But I also think that people are more important than trees, so if we have to cut down a tree to get someone off the street, I think we should do that…. Green energy is more expensive than traditional carbon-based energies and using it tends to hit poor people the hardest.” Favors solar farms.
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Emphasizes fiscal and legal responsibility. Attended a session of a course on climate change. Supports brush clearing in green zones. Supports Tree Ordinance with mitigation for tree removal. Supports REU prioritizing solar. Has voted to maintain the benefits to, and agreements with, local owners of rooftop solar. Supported the council motion to create a site specific plan for the riverfront area near Turtle Bay.
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Emphasizes housing and climate. Supports protecting green space and mitigation for tree removal. Sees a need for urban planning to limit sprawl. Says “I think the second biggest issue [after housing] we’re facing is climate, including water and wildfire. …There’s not enough recognition of what normal rainfall is, or will be, in California, which would allow us to switch our focus to being a more drought-resistant community.”
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Emphasizes housing and jobs, also criminal accountability and fiscal planning. Chose not to attend the Candidates’ Forum on the Environment. No climate statement found.
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Emphasizes inclusive political process. Wants to keep green space at Turtle Bay undeveloped. Emphasizes energy efficiency in buildings. Favors solar farms to reach zero carbon emissions, city rebates for going electric (appliances), and capturing methane from green waste.
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Emphasizes the economy. Believes Redding should continue to attract visitors for its beautiful natural surroundings while providing good-paying jobs. Favors mitigation fees for tree removal. Supports solar farms, not rooftop. Sees the need for hotels built at the airport for business travelers.
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Believes in “city building” and creating “sustainable jobs.” Favors balancing fees for tree removal with cost of development. Favors electrifying homes and businesses.
This guide is informed by candidate websites, news reports, voting records, ballotpedia.org, the League of Conservation Voters scorecare (lcv.org), votesmart.org, and candidate forums. It is intended for educational purposes.