Center for Western Priorities December 2020

WINNING THE WEST ELECTION 2020 To learn more, please visit us at WESTERNPRIORITIES.ORG CONTENTS 20 28 34 23 32 16 12 31 30 24 26 29 10 22 14 19 18 25 21 27 13 15 11 17 6 2 3 5 7 9 8 ARIZONA: PUBLICLANDS SEEBIGWINS PUBLIC LANDS PROGRESSONTHEBALLOT A NATIONAL LENS—THEPRESIDENTIAL ELECTION POLLING RESULTS ELECTION 2020—FROMTHEEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PHOTO CREDITS&REFERENCES LOOKING AHEAD: THEOUTDOOR VOTER AGENDA PUBLIC LANDS INTHESTATE HOUSE McAdams vs.Owens: Closelossfor Utah’s onlypro-conservation Congress member Peterson vs.Cox: Amove towards balance intheGovernor’s office UTAH: ACHANGE OFDIRECTIONINTHEBEEHIVE STATE Leger Fernandez vs.Johnson:Strong conservation record bringssuccess Torres tale Smallvs.Herrell: Acautionary for pro-conservation candidates Haaland vs.Garcia Holmes:Publiclandsremain top ofagenda inNM’s 1st District Luján vs.Ronchetti: Heated Senate race bringsoutdoor issuesto forefront NEW MEXICO:CONTINUING APUBLICLANDS LEGACY Horsford Frequently vs.Marchant: flippingdistrict reelects conservationist incumbent Pro-publicLee landsrepresentative vs.Rodimer: winsclosereelection race NEVADA: LANDS PLATFORM MAKESFORAWINNER Gianforte Moderating vs.Cooney: ananti-publiclandsrecord to win AclashbetweenDaines vs.Bullock: outdoor messages andrecords Williams vs.Rosendale: Re-writing a record onpubliclands MONTANA: OUTDOORISSUESSPURHOT DEBATE Crow representative vs.House:New winsreelection onpubliclandsrecord NewcomerMitsch Bushvs.Boebert: counters statewide trends Gardner Candidates vs.Hickenlooper: square offover publiclandsbonafides COLORADO: HIGHPRIORITYONPUBLICLANDS Schweikert vs.Tipirneni:Outdoor issuestake center stage Kirkpatrick vs.Martin:Strong conservation record rewarded withre-election O’Halleran vs.Shedd:Outdoor issuesremain critical to voters inAZ’s 1st District McSally vs.Kelly: Climate action ontheballot inArizona Senate race ELECTION 2020

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Over the past several ads and pro-public lands messages on election cycles, the social media. Candidates in the West Center for Western campaigning on public lands issues Priorities’ Winning also became part of a national media the West project has narrative.1, 2 documented public lands conservation as Extreme anti-public lands positions, a winning campaign such as selling off national public lands issue due to a growing to private interests or turning them over bipartisan number of to state control, were notably absent in Westerners who vote to competitive races. keep the West’s national public lands protected Indeed, the importance of outdoor and accessible. During issues has solidified to the extent that the COVID-19 pandemic, the outdoor candidates with consistently pro-public voting bloc’s connection to the outdoors lands positions have prevailed in most has only heightened, resulting in public close elections in the Mountain West lands issues playing an even more in recent elections. This fact has never decisive role in the outcome of close been more true than it was in the 2020 Mountain West races in 2020 than in election cycle. We saw candidates who previous election cycles we’ve analyzed. boldly champion public lands issues Regardless of who won any given race, and others who moderated their public public lands won as an issue in the 2020 lands platforms to better match the election. The extent to which it was used priorities of outdoor voters. In all cases, as a key differentiator in campaigns was voters will be watching to ensure that unprecedented. their newly elected officials have the legislation to match their campaign Of the 21 races we tracked throughout messages. this election, 19 featured significant pro-public lands advertising or This report is the culmination of messaging. In debates, op-eds, and our analysis in the 2020 election other campaign communications, cycle. We hope you join us online at candidates frequently appealed to WinningTheWest2020.org to learn more.3 their voters through public lands— speaking to how they are managed, their importance to local economies, and the way they define life in the West. Campaigns used the mountains and outdoor spaces of the Mountain West Jennifer Rokala as backdrops for numerous campaign Executive Director, Center for Western Priorities 2 POLLING RESULTS

The Center for Western Priorities’ Winning the traditional party preference breakdowns, they are West 2020 poll found that in the midst of a global exactly the people who candidates need to connect pandemic, voters in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, with in order to win elections in Mountain West Nevada, and New Mexico had a connection to the states like Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada and outdoors that has never been deeper, and support New Mexico. for public lands conservation is growing.4 We estimate the outdoor voting bloc to be 2 million The poll underscores what research from the past voters strong across the Mountain West. From the several election cycles has shown: public land results of our recent Winning the West 2020 poll, conservation is a winning campaign issue. we identified that 26 percent of voters meet all of the following conditions: 2 MILLION OUTDOOR • Identify as being active outdoors by VOTERS IN THE WEST participating in activities such as hiking, fishing, camping and recreational sports, The intensity of support for public lands and • Visit public lands 3+ times a year, outdoor issues has only solidified over the three election cycles the Center for Western Priorities • Believe public lands are an important factor in has conducted public opinion research and deciding who to vote for, and analyzed competitive races. Over time, we have • Are “ticket splitters” who vote for candidates of identified a group of voters in the ideological different parties. middle who regularly participate in outdoor recreation—the “outdoor voting bloc.” When overlaid with the voters in the swing-states of Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, and The outdoor voting bloc is composed of outdoor New Mexico who turned out to vote in the 2016 enthusiasts who care about keeping the West’s presidential election, the total comes to more than public lands protected and accessible, and make 2 million voters—a number we expect to continue their voices heard at the polls.5 Because the voters to rise in coming years. in these groups are also typically less partisan than

3 VOTER PRIORITIES ON PUBLIC LANDS AND OUTDOOR ISSUES We saw early evidence that 2020 would be a big election year for public lands. Our 2020 Winning the West poll—conducted in June 2020 in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, and New Mexico— found voters are more passionate than ever about the landscapes and lifestyles that make the West a special place to live.6 As this report will show, our election analysis found that candidates took to heart the views of voters in how they strategized Public lands bring people together in the West at a for their campaigns. time when most other important issues divide and polarize the electorate. Deeply valuing their access to parks and public lands for hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping, 90 percent of voters agree the mountains and outdoors are what makes living in their state special.

These issues define Western voters’ way of life— and cut across partisan lines. In an increasingly divided political environment, it is particularly noteworthy that the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act and the Great American Outdoors Act are among the few pieces of non-COVID-19-related legislation to be passed by large bipartisan margins and Eighty-one percent of Western voters say national signed into law recently.7, 8 Across the Mountain public lands, parks, and wildlife issues are West, candidates from both sides of the aisle important to them in deciding which candidate routinely and prominently highlighted their to vote for in Presidential and Congressional support for the Great American Outdoors Act in elections. The importance of public lands, parks, their 2020 campaigns. and wildlife issues increased during the COVID-19 pandemic for 34 percent of voters, while remaining durable for the rest.

4 A NATIONAL LENS

Public lands and outdoor issues played a leading banning new oil and gas permitting on public role on the national stage this year. We saw lands and waters, and modifying royalties to the bipartisan passage of the Great American account for climate costs, Outdoors Act, a historic victory for conservation; • Protecting America’s natural treasures by national outrage over the Trump administration’s permanently protecting the Arctic National appointment of William Perry Pendley to the Wildlife Refuge and other areas impacted by Bureau of Land Management; and public outcry President Trump’s attack on federal lands over the Trump administration’s attack on Bears and waters and establishing national parks 9 Ears. Voters across the country made clear to and monuments that reflect America’s natural candidates and elected leaders that defending heritage, and outdoor issues is a high priority. • Establishing targeted programs to enhance reforestation and develop renewables on THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT federal lands and waters with the goal of OF THE UNITED STATES doubling offshore wind by 2030. Voters were provided a stark contrast on public Meanwhile, over the past four lands and outdoor issues in the race for the years, the Trump administration White House between Donald Trump and Joe disregarded science and Biden. the need to address climate change and moved One of Joe Biden’s boldest aggressively to expand oil and campaign pledges was to ban gas drilling across the country. “new oil and gas permitting on The administration offered more public lands and waters.”10 At than 100 million acres in onshore a town hall in New Hampshire and offshore leases and, under the leadership of in February, he said he former oil lobbyist David Bernhardt and former opposed drilling in the Arctic Congressman Ryan Zinke, the Interior Department National Wildlife Refuge, given finalized sweeping policy changes: the impacts of climate change on • Eliminating rules to reduce methane emissions Alaska, before adding, “And by the way, no more from drilling on public lands,14 drilling on federal lands, period. Period, period, period.”11 • Rolling back regulations to increase the safety and transparency of hydraulic fracturing,15 Furthermore, in Biden’s Climate Plan outlining his • Watering down offshore drilling safety day one executive actions, he commits to:12 rules enacted after the Deepwater Horizon • Protecting biodiversity, slowing extinction explosion,16 rates, and helping leverage natural climate • Dramatically shrinking national monuments in solutions by conserving 30 percent of America’s Utah, and17 lands and waters by 2030 (also known as the 30x30 Goal),13 • Weakening enforcement of the Endangered Species Act.18 • Requiring aggressive methane pollution limits for new and existing oil and gas operations, 5 In the 2016 election, Trump PUBLIC LANDS took a more moderate approach to public lands PROGRESS ON THE issues, expressing his support for good stewardship of public BALLOT lands, refusing to support state takeovers of national Across the country, voters Initiative 190 in Montana public lands, and repeatedly passed a variety of local to use tax proceeds from mentioned that his sons are measures and statewide legal marijuana purchases sportsmen. ballot initiatives aimed at to provide $360 million protecting the environment for land and water Once in office, the Trump and wildlife, and funding conservation programs. administration’s public lands public lands.57 In total, agenda was at odds with the voters approved more than Question 6 in Nevada values of the Mountain West’s $3.7 billion in funding for to enact a constitutional outdoor voting block. Biden parks, climate resiliency, amendment that sets a 50 made notable gains in his and public lands.58 Voter- percent renewable energy margin of victory over Trump passed initiatives in the standard by 2030. in Colorado and New Mexico Mountain West include: when compared to the 2016 presidential results. He also Proposition 114 in closed the margin of Trump’s Colorado to require the victory in Montana from the reintroduction of gray previous election. Central to wolves into the wild. the overall outcome of the 2020 presidential election was the flip of Arizona from “red” to “blue” and the emergence of a Western wall of outdoor voters.

6 ARIZONA Public ARIZONA VOTERS lands see AT A GLANCE big wins Amid a historic year 81% 64% for wildfires and high temperatures in Arizona— of Arizonans said say public lands the home of the Grand public lands, issues are more Canyon, Monument Valley, parks, and wildlife important to them continue to be very now than prior to and the Sonoran Desert—it’s important factors the pandemic. no surprise that outdoor when deciding who issues played a central to vote for. role in the outcome of the state’s elections. Arizona is surging towards Colorado agree environmental protections matter in consistently electing pro- more than ever, and we public lands candidates. 59% must enforce current Furthermore, one of the environmental laws. state’s leaders, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva has taken on support setting a goal to a national profile as a conserve 30% of America’s champion of public lands land and ocean areas by 2030 to help protect wildlife as the Chair of the House 76% and open spaces for future Committee on Natural generations. Resources.

7 McSALLY vs. KELLY AZ SENATE Climate action on the ballot in Arizona senate race There may be no better example of Since her appointment to the Senate, the decisive role outdoor issues play she used her post on the Energy and in elections in the West than Martha Natural Resources Committee to shore Martha McSally McSally and Mark Kelly’s campaigns up federal water supply infrastructure @SenMcSallyAZ to represent Arizona in the United and increasing funding for the States Senate. Incumbent Sen. Martha Land and Water Conservation Fund Arizona’s public “ lands are meant to McSally, a Republican appointed to fill through the Great American Outdoors be enjoyed by all. I the late John McCain’s seat in 2019, Act. She also introduced the 21st introduced legislation to enhance the visitor lost her election to retired astronaut Century Conservation Service Corps experience by increasing Mark Kelly, a Democrat who positioned Act, legislation aimed at improving access to recreational his campaign around climate action. public lands; and touted her support concessions such as mountain bike rentals, Signalling a significant stride towards (alongside Kelly) for the Four Forest paragliding, & horseback flipping control of the Senate and Restoration Initiative which has the riding. making outdoor issues a national goal of promoting sustainable timber Jan 18, 2020 priority, McSally and Kelly’s race was harvest across the Apache-Sitgreaves, one of the most closely watched in the Coconino, Kaibab, and Tonto national 2020 general election. forests.

Positioning himself as a centrist (he However, during her time in office emphasized climate change, but didn’t McSally voted repeatedly against embrace the Green New Deal), Kelly protecting public lands from being framed climate change as a threat to sold off, consistently voted against Arizona’s economy and advocated for clean air and clean energy (despite investment in renewable energy and her state having some of the worst air the creation of green jobs. Kelly also pollution in the country), supported a harshly criticized Trump’s Bureau of provision that would make it easier for I think one Land Management nominee, William President Trump to end protections “ thing that’s Perry Pendley, writing in a public for national monuments, and voted critical is that statement that the nomination to confirm Trump pick and coal- we come up with is “clearly a threat to the goal of industry lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as policies to help protecting Arizona’s public lands head of the Environmental Protection fight climate and keeping them accessible for Agency.20 change, because everyone.”19 When speaking on that puts public outdoor issues, Kelly commonly refers Ultimately, Arizona voters picked the lands at risk to his experience as an astronaut as candidate who took stronger pro- and it also puts having given him perspective on the conservation positions on public lands our outdoor urgency of conservation. and outdoor issues. In the Senate, recreation Kelly will join Arizona Senator Kyrsten economy at risk. Martha McSally, too, spoke to outdoor Sinema, who won her close election in issues throughout her campaign. 2018 also by highlighting public lands. —Mark Kelly

8 O’HALLERAN vs. SHEDD AZ-01 Outdoor issues remain critical to voters in AZ’s 1st District Arizona’s 1st Congressional District leadership urging full and permanent is one of the largest and most funding of the Land and Water diverse in the country, with more Conservation Fund (LWCF) and voted Native American residents than any to pass a package of public lands bills district in the nation. In the district’s that permanently reauthorized the congressional race, Democratic LWCF and protected over two million incumbent and outdoor issue acres of public lands and waters, advocate Rep. Tom O’Halleran won re- among other provisions. election against Republican challenger Rep. Tom Tiffany Shedd, a farmer, lawyer, and Conversely, Shedd showed little O’Halleran @RepOHalleran small-business owner who overlooked interest in outdoor issues throughout her district’s priority on outdoor her campaign. While rarely Our national parks commenting on it in her campaign, “ and public lands are issues and rarely spoke about them. critical for land and Shedd did speak on the campaign water conservation In office, O’Halleran has been a trail on her opposition to government and preserving the rich history of #AZ01. champion for protecting clean water funding for the development of Last week, I voted for and natural resources for tribal renewable energy, a commitment to measures that preserve nations and across Arizona. Past “work with President Trump to identify our natural resources and the rural communities legislation includes relieving drought and eliminate unnecessary job killing that depend on them. in Arizona, giving the Hualapai Tribe [environmental] regulations,” and Jul 5, 2019 access to water from the Colorado harshly criticized O’Halleran’s vote River, protecting the Grand Canyon against a farm bill that he opposed from toxic uranium mining and Chaco due to its nearly $800 million in cuts Canyon from oil and gas development, from conservation programs and $500 assisting sovereign tribal nations million in cuts from rural development in transitioning toward clean fuel programs over the next 10 years.21, 22 sources, and incentivizing electric companies in rural communities to O’Halleran demonstrated his invest in more renewable energy alignment on outdoor issues with the technologies. Additionally, O’Halleran views of his diverse district and was signed onto a letter to congressional awarded a third term in Congress.

9 KIRKPATRICK vs. MARTIN AZ-02 Strong conservation record rewarded with re-election In Arizona’s 2nd district, which spans Ann Kirkpatrick from borderlands to ranching towns in @Ann_Kirkpatrick Wildcat Country, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick .@JoeBiden is right — stood out in her public lands record “ the Grand Canyon is a major economic engine and easily secured re-election, in AZ, generating $1 defeating Republican newcomer billion+ for AZ’s economy Brandon Martin. + 12K+ jobs to the region. Uranium mining COST the area billions in clean up In office, Kirkpatrick finalized the in the past. Four Forest Restoration Initiative; Aug 7, 2020 cosponsored the Climate Change Now Act, which will cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 25% by 2025; and voted to pass the Great American Outdoors Act. She, too, supported a bill to protect the Grand Canyon from toxic uranium mining and Chaco Canyon from oil and gas development and voted to reverse a 2017 tax bill provision that mandated the sale of oil and gas leases in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. As a member of the House Appropriations’ Energy and Water subcommittee, Kirkpatrick is an advocate for the development of alternative energy sources in Arizona.

Focusing on economics, national defense, and immigration, outdoor issues took a back seat in Martin’s campaign for Congress. With Ann Kirkpatrick Campaign Website Kirkpatrick remaining in office, Arizona voters can expect public ...Arizona offers its residents a special lands and outdoor issues to remain a “ connection to our environment. It is our duty priority. to protect and preserve these places for our children and for generations to come. Arizona’s natural resources are also key economic engines – particularly in rural areas – and bring much- needed jobs to our state.

10 SCHWEIKERT vs. TIPIRNENI AZ-06 Outdoor issues take center stage Republican Rep. David Schweikert national monument designations has represented Arizona’s 6th and opposed limits on public lands congressional district in the U.S. transfers, permanent reauthorization House of Representatives since of the Land and Water Conservation 2011. Despite a record on public Fund, sage-grouse conservation, and lands that was out of alignment with efforts to reduce methane emissions. the views of most Arizona voters, Understanding his constituents’ Schweikert won re-election in a race passion for the outdoors, however, against Democratic challenger Dr. Schweikert supported the Great Rep. David Hiral Tipirneni. In a traditionally red American Outdoors Act, centered Schweikert @RepDavid district, Schweikert carried a strong renewable energy in his campaign, advantage—but his opponent made and utilized social media to show his Happy 100th Birthday “ @GrandCanyonNPS! it a tighter than expected race, in outdoorsy side. Arizona is so fortunate part based on public lands issues. to have had you for 100 Both candidates effectively spoke to In his statement on the Great American years of great hikes, views, and exploring outdoor issues as a high priority. Outdoors Act, Schweikert is quoted with the family. saying, “As someone who regularly #100YearsOfGrand Throughout her campaign, Tipirneni hikes and actively enjoys public Feb 26, 2019 positioned herself as a bold advocate lands with my family throughout for action on climate change our beautiful state, I am pleased and environmental justice. Her to help ensure we can all continue positions on outdoor issues included to enjoy these local treasures.”23 incentivizing the transition to While this action on outdoor issues renewable and clean energy initiatives contrasts with Schweikert’s record, and protection of Arizona’s water, air, it was effective in signaling to his and public lands. constituents an understanding of the importance of action on outdoor During Schweikert’s time in office, issues. he has supported efforts to limit new

11 COLORADO

High COLORADO VOTERS priority AT A GLANCE on public lands 82% 62% This year, outdoor issues played an outsized role of Coloradans say public lands in one of the most closely said public lands, issues are more watched U.S. Senate races parks, and wildlife important to them continue to be very now than prior to in the country while voters important factors the pandemic. resoundingly rejected the when deciding who Trump administration’s to vote for. public lands policies in a reliably pro-conservation state. In an exciting win for agree environmental protections matter conservation, CO-02 Rep. more than ever, and we Joe Neguse—champion of 59% must enforce current the 30x30 Resolution to Save environmental laws. Nature and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and support setting a goal to Economy (CORE) Act—was conserve 30% of America’s re-elected by wide margins land and ocean areas by 2030 to help protect wildlife and unanimously elected co- 74% and open spaces for future chair of the House Democratic generations. Policy and Communications Committee, the No. 8 position in House leadership. 12 GARDNER vs. HICKENLOOPER CO SENATE Candidates square off over public lands bona fides Colorado’s U.S. Senate race, one unpopular anti-public lands nominees of the most closely watched in the to the Interior Department, voting nation, was a prime example of against protecting clean air and water, the importance of public lands and and being the first Colorado senator outdoor issues, which were regularly in more than 50 years to not sponsor a highlighted by both campaigns.24 single piece of wilderness designation legislation. Senator Gardner’s record Cory Gardner Former Governor John Hickenlooper, came under fire in local media @CoryGardner the Democrat, won the race in part coverage, which contrasted his public For decades, Congress by touting his record as governor support for public lands with his “ ignored our National Parks and stole the addressing climate change, which refusal to oppose the nomination of maintenance money. I included setting the state on a path William Perry Pendley as the head of made it my job to stop it towards 100% renewable energy and the Bureau of Land Management over so millions of Coloradans can enjoy our great curbing methane emissions. He also Pendley’s controversial anti-public outdoors... campaigned on a “COnservation” 27 lands positions. Jul 7, 2020 Agenda that opposed selling off federal lands and prioritized the Ultimately, Coloradans believed passage of the CORE Act to protect Hickenlooper to be the most sincere 400,000 acres of Colorado public public lands champion, and elected lands.25 Hickenlooper also connected him by a wide margin for what was issues of public lands conservation expected to be a close race. Exit to the resilience of mountain polling on the race showed that economies.26 more than 70% of Colorado voters who considered “protecting the Incumbent Senator Cory Gardner tried environment and combating climate John to counter by showing his outdoor change” as important to their Hickenlooper side, including releasing a video ad votes, supported Hickenlooper.28 @Hickenlooper called “Get Outside” that showed he In addition, 60% of voters believed Washington is and his family getting ready for a day Garder “pretends to care about “ bulldozing through our national monuments, of recreating on public lands in order the environment in Colorado but carving up our public to call attention to his co-sponsorship votes with corporate polluters in lands, and auctioning of the recently passed Great American them off to the highest Washington,” despite the candidate bidder. Outdoors Act. spending millions to advertise his support for the Great American As a Coloradan, I am fed Hickenlooper kept Gardner on the Outdoors Act and other conservation up. defensive over voting to confirm 29 positions. Today, I released an aggressive plan to protect our outdoors. We must protect what makes Colorado so special. Feb 10, 2020 13 MITSCH BUSH vs. BOEBERT CO-03 Newcomer counters statewide trends In a congressional district that consistently leaned Republican in pre-election analysis, Democrat Diane Mitsch Bush lost to newcomer Lauren Boebert who upset former Representative Scott Tipton in the Republican primary. It was the only competitive race across the Mountain West in which the winning candidate took an overtly anti-public lands position.

Boebert advertised herself as “pro- energy” and took issue with federal land use policies on public lands. In a campaign press release she claimed members of Colorado’s congressional delegation “believe cities can tell rural America what to do with land in our backyard without our input” and criticized what she described as a federal “land grab” in a pending defense reauthorization bill.

Mitsch Bush campaigned as a champion for public lands conservation, releasing a video ad titled “Diane = Public Lands Protector” and highlighted her support for conservation in her earned media Tweet from Diane Mitsch Bush strategy and outreach to voters.

While Mitsch Bush outperformed Diane Mitsch Bush previous Democratic challengers, for Congress Boebert prevailed. @RepDMB Public lands create more than 500,000 jobs “ in Colorado, and I’ll always stand up for the small businesses that rely on our public lands. #NationalPublicLandsDay Sept 26, 2020

14 CROW vs. HOUSE CO-06 New representative wins reelection on public lands record After winning his traditionally Republican seat in 2018 as a challenger who aligned with voters on outdoor issues, Democratic Representative Jason Crow took the opportunity to showcase his public lands record in his race for reelection.

Crow told voters he is “fighting to ensure that our public lands are not sold off to the highest bidder or destroyed by irresponsible drilling and mining, and I will continue to do so if reelected.” He regularly touted his work to pass the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act to protect 400,000 acres of public lands in the state along with his co- sponsorship of the Great American Outdoor Act.

Crow easily defeated his opponent, Republican Steve House, who campaigned on his support for “an all-of-the-above energy policy and keeping the nation at the forefront of energy research and development.”

Tweet from Jason Crow

Rep. Jason Crow @RepJasonCrow

Tomorrow, the House will vote on the “ Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Economy Act, which will establish new wilderness areas and protect our outdoor recreation economy. Protecting 400,000 acres of our public land will be a big win for Coloradans! Oct 30, 2019

15 MONTANA

Outdoor MONTANA VOTERS issues AT A GLANCE spur hot debate 88% 69% In the Big Sky state with vast public lands and an economy of Montanans say public lands heavily dependent on said public lands, issues are more parks, and wildlife important to them recreation tourism, outdoor continue to be very now than prior to issues are regularly top of important factors the pandemic. voters’ minds in Montana. when deciding who Despite being a typically to vote for. red state—especially in national politics—protecting public lands has been a hot agree environmental protections matter topic and area of bipartisan more than ever, and we consensus. Candidates from 59% must enforce current both sides of the aisle knew environmental laws. this going into their races and took it into account in how support setting a goal to they campaigned. conserve 30% of America’s land and ocean areas by 2030 to help protect wildlife 74% and open spaces for future generations.

16 WILLIAMS vs. ROSENDALE MT AT-LARGE Re-writing a record on public lands In the race for Montana’s at-large House seat, To appeal to outdoor voters, Rosendale’s campaign Republican Matt Rosendale defeated Democratic had to rewrite the narrative on his public lands candidate Kathleen Williams. record. Despite his record, throughout Rosendale’s campaign, he touted “protecting public lands” Throughout his campaign, Rosendale was critiqued as a campaign priority, running ads highlighting for his record—which included supporting major that while on the State Land Board, he supported rollbacks to public lands protections, ties to opening up more than 45,000 acres of land to the notorious anti-public lands Wilks brothers, public access. His campaign website read, “Matt calling for land transfers that would make it opposes a federal lands transfer and will continue easier for public lands to be sold off, voting to fight every day to protect our public access to against amending the Keogh Ranch Conservation public lands and will always keep them in public easement which would have protected more hands.”33 than 7,000 acres of land in Southwest Montana from encroaching residential development, and Williams, on the other hand, dedicated her career voting to obstruct the Horse Creek Conservation to protecting the outdoors, with a history working Easement, which would provide permanent in conservation in the public, non-profit, and public hunting access to 20,000 acres in Eastern private sectors. As a state legislator, she served on Montana.30, 31 the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees, where she was a leader on water policy issues. Rosendale also denied the science behind climate She was a lead negotiator in quantifying the water change’s serious threat to his state, once saying rights of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai that “climate change is another example of the Tribes, and served as Vice Chair of the Water Policy government trying to control the people.”32 In the Interim Committee. state senate, he voted for a bill that would prohibit any enforcement of limits on greenhouse gases. Williams’ pro-public lands positions were not enough to overcome her opponent’s advantages in a congressional seat that has elected Republican candidates for decades.

Matt Rosendale Twitter Ad

While Washington fights, Matt “ Rosendale goes to work... he opened up public lands...

17 DAINES vs. BULLOCK MT SENATE A clash between outdoor messages and records Understanding their voters’ deep of creating conservation easements ties to the outdoors, public lands that provide access to lands for played an outsized role in the race for hunting and fishing, preserving Montana’s U.S. Senate seat. stream access, restoring funding for the Habitat Montana program, Republican incumbent Sen. Steve establishing Montana’s Office of Daines pointed to his co-sponsorship Outdoor Recreation, and being a of the Great American Outdoors Act vocal advocate for the state’s outdoor and support of bills that blocked economy and businesses.34 He also Steve Bullock @GovernorBullock mining on public lands near the north pointed to Daines’ record of voting entrance to Yellowstone National Park to strip protections from hundreds Where I come from, “ 18 holes might be and protected part of East Rosebud of thousands of acres of public lands relaxing, but it’s not the Creek. He also highlighted his help to in Montana and casting the deciding same as sleeping under pass legislation adding 67,000 acres of vote to enable the sale, transfer, or the stars, watching a herd of elk at 5:30am, or wilderness along the Rocky Mountain exchange of lands in the Bob Marshall feeling the tug of a trout Front in northwest Montana. Wilderness Area, the Charles M. Russell on your line. National Wildlife Refuge, and other Daines’ opponent, Governor Steve That’s why we’re going wilderness areas, wildlife refuges, to keep #publiclands in Bullock, made supporting public lands national forests, and conservation public hands. a centerpiece of his campaign message lands in the U.S. Nov 18, 2019 and in his criticisms of Daines. Bullock filed a successful lawsuit to Bullock’s outdoor-centric message remove William Perry Pendley—who was not enough to win in a year in previously advocated for the selling which Montana voted consistently off of national public lands—from Republican, but it was enough to his position as acting director of the outperform the Democratic side of Bureau of Land Management and he the presidential race by nearly five criticized Daines’ support of Pendley. percentage points. Bullock campaigned on his own record

Steve Bullock Ad Cam Bullock He was by my side when I got “ my first buck. Steve Bullock And you know what’s great? “ Every one of us owns these public lands. 18 GIANFORTE vs. COONEY MT GOVERNOR Moderating an anti-public lands record to win The nation’s only competitive governor’s race that would have amended the U.S. Endangered this election was in Montana, where two-term Species Act and delisted the grizzly bear. He Representative and Trump-aligned Republican also pledged to “review, roll back, and repeal” Greg Gianforte successfully ran against Democratic regulations on extractive industries that he deems Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney.35 excessive or unnecessary, and is a proponent of exporting Montana coal and undoing emissions Gianforte attempted to moderate his public limits on power plants. lands positions in his race for governor, with his campaign website stating: “As your Congressman, Cooney had an eight-pronged plan to protect Greg introduced legislation to protect our public public lands and access to them in Montana. lands, and President Trump signed it into law. As The plan included priorities for protecting your Governor, Greg will ensure our public lands Montana’s existing public land and stream access are accessible and stay in public hands.”36 laws; increasing access to landlocked public land through easements; and strengthening However, Gianforte’s record in Congress raised Habitat Montana, the state’s premier access and questions about his commitment to public conservation program. He has also said he would lands conservation. He repeatedly opposed full “help unlock the over 3.5 million acres of public and permanent funding for the Land and Water land that is currently inaccessible” to Montanans Conservation Fund and introduced legislation and strengthen the leadership of the Office of that would remove protections from nearly Outdoor Recreation.37 700,000 acres of wilderness in Montana, opening them to logging and mining. He sued the State of Despite an anti-public lands record, Gianforte’s Montana to block public fishing access through moderating of his rhetoric may have helped his waterfront property and took $200,000 in dissuade the concerns of outdoor voters in campaign contributions from the oil and gas Montana and he comfortably won the race for industry. Gianforte, too, introduced a federal bill governor.

Mike Cooney Attack Ad

We measure Montana’s quality “ of life acre by acre, and politicians like Greg Gianforte action by action. On protecting public lands, Gianforte’s selfish, greedy, like when he sued to block access to a stream near his riverfront mansion. Greg Gianforte tried privatizing our national forests and selling our public lands to the highest bidder. 19 NEVADA Lands NEVADA VOTERS AT platform A GLANCE makes for a winner 76% 56%

With public lands making of Nevadans said say public lands up 80 percent of Nevada, public lands, issues are more issues involving the outdoor parks, and wildlife important to them continue to be very now than prior to recreation economy and land important factors the pandemic. development are especially when deciding who important—and 2020’s to vote for. election results marked a significant advancement in the state’s commitment to agree environmental 38 protections matter outdoor issues. More than more than ever, and we ever, successful candidates 54% must enforce current in 2020 took notice of voters’ environmental laws. support for public lands and made efforts to engage with support setting a goal to them on the topic, resulting conserve 30% of America’s in some major wins for public land and ocean areas by 2030 to help protect wildlife lands. Nevada was also one 73% and open spaces for future of the most closely contested generations. battleground states in the presidential election.

20 LEE vs. RODIMER NV-03 Pro-public lands representative wins close reelection race

Democratic Representative Susie to join our delegation and fight for it. Lee retained her competitive seat The testing range and wildlife services by continuing the environmentally have cohabitated for a long time and focused campaign that won the we are still going to have to find ways Southern Nevada district for her in to compromise, but when someone 2018. from completely outside came with this, we had to draw a line in the sand. During her reelection campaign, Lee We had to protect this important touted her support for legislation place, not just for Nevada, but for our Rep. Susie Lee @RepSusieLee to permanently fund the popular entire country.”40 Land and Water Conservation Fund, The evidence is clear “ that the climate crisis championing it as “so important to Besides her public lands record, is exactly that: a crisis. the conservation of public lands and Lee’s campaign materials and social Our children will suffer if waterways throughout our country.”38, media platforms regularly showed we continue to not take it seriously. bit.ly/31lgHnR 39 her enjoying Nevada’s outdoor opportunities. Aug 17, 2019 Of her effort to stop the Pentagon takeover of the Desert National By contrast, Lee’s opponent Daniel Wildlife Refuge, Lee said “My Rodimer, a lawyer and former commitment to environmental professional wrestler, missed an causes runs deep. Being an avid opportunity to connect with outdoor outdoorswoman, I have come to love voters by placing little emphasis the desert here in Nevada and to see on public lands issues during the that this national treasure was under campaign and lost by three points in attack, it was really important to me the competitive district.

21 HORSFORD vs. MARCHANT NV-04 Frequently flipping district reelects conservationist incumbent

Democratic Representative Steven Horsford won best interest and health of the people and wildlife reelection in a competitive district that previously that live on that land. Nevadans have been strong changed parties every two years since its in their efforts to protect and preserve public lands formation in 2012. and I’m proud that collectively we have worked to make sure that Nevada’s voices were heard in the As a member of Congress, Horsford made the halls of Congress.”42 fight against climate change central to his policy agenda, introducing bipartisan legislation to Horsford’s Republican opponent, former Nevada combat its effects.41 He campaigned on policies Assembly Member Jim Marchant, made some to permanently reauthorize the Land and efforts to stake out a moderate position on Water Conservation Fund and expand access to public lands—stating in a TV interview, “I want outdoor recreation opportunities to underserved to preserve our public lands for the people. I’m communities. Horford also highlighted the not for blocking people from going on them… I importance of outdoor recreation for generating don’t want to sell it… I don’t want to take these jobs and economic activity across the state. lands away from people who want to use them.” However, overall he tended not to emphasize In voting to protect the Desert National Wildlife his positions on public lands or outdoor issues Refuge, Horsford said, “Public lands truly do make throughout the campaign. up the fabric of Nevada’s identity. These lands are critical to our state and deserve to be protected In the end, Horsford won reelection by nearly 5 from any attempts to diminish their impact. We percentage points, becoming the first incumbent are working to ensure that any federal decisions to to retain the seat in its history. reserve public lands for development maintain the

Tweet from Steve Horsford

Rep. Steven Horsford @RepHorsford

Now, more than ever, we need “ to invest in the restoration economy to stimulate economic growth amid the pandemic.

With record-high unemployment at nearly 30%, Nevada would uniquely benefit from good- paying jobs while fighting the climate crisis. Jul 7, 2020 22 NEW MEXICO NEW VOTERS AT A MEXICO GLANCE

Continuing favor protecting Native American sacred land over 73% opening it up to oil and gas a public development. lands legacy 82% 59% With over 5.4 million acres of public land, the New of New Mexicans say public lands Mexico way of life in the said public lands, issues are more state is defined by the parks, and wildlife important to them continue to be very now than prior to outdoors. This year, with important factors the pandemic. public lands champion when deciding who Sen. Tom Udall retiring, the to vote for. outcome of campaigns across the state continued New Mexico’s legacy of electing agree environmental protections matter conservation leaders. more than ever, and we 64% must enforce current environmental laws.

support setting a goal to conserve 30% of America’s land and ocean areas by 2030 to help protect wildlife 79% and open spaces for future generations.

23 LUJÁN vs. RONCHETTI NM SENATE Heated Senate race brings outdoor issues to fore Representative Ben Ray Luján, a Democrat in New Luján’s campaign made national news when Mexico’s Third Congressional District, defeated he highlighted a video clip from a Republican Republican meteorologist Mark Ronchetti to win online forum in which Ronchetti says that “fires the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Democrat aren’t caused by anything other than a spark or a Sen. Tom Udall. In this heated race, the candidates lightning strike. ...Climate change doesn’t cause clashed on outdoor issues, with Luján accusing fires, come on.”44 Ronchetti later responded to rival Ronchetti of engaging in “irresponsible and Luján’s criticism, stating: “I’ve been studying dangerous climate denialism.”43 weather my entire professional life and so let me be perfectly clear – climate change is a real Serving in the House since 2009, Luján supported phenomenon that needs to be addressed... the Great American Outdoors Act, and in June Wildfires in the West are caused by a variety of joined the House Select Committee on the Climate factors including lightning and human activity. Crisis to unveil a comprehensive Climate Crisis These fires are made far worse by poor forest Action Plan to address climate change and put management in addition to drought conditions.” the nation on a path toward net-zero carbon pollution by 2050 or sooner. He also worked to In addition, Ronchetti advocated in his campaign increase funding for conservation projects on for the federal leasing of public lands for oil, gas, public lands, introduced legislation to give land and mineral development.45 grant communities greater access to land within their historical boundaries, and advocated for Luján won the seat by more than five percentage the prohibition of oil and gas extraction leases points. Now the highest-ranking Latino in the on the federal land around Chaco Canyon. Luján House, Luján will be just the fifth current Latino frequently touted his conservation record in his Senator in office. Senate campaign.

Tweet from Ben Ray Luján

Ben Ray Luján @repbenraylujan

2020 is shaping up to be the “ warmest year on record—and time is running out to #ActOnClimate.

That’s why I joined the @ ClimateCrisis Committee to announce a comprehensive Action Plan to address climate change and put America on a path to net-zero carbon pollution. Jun 20, 2020 24 HAALAND vs. GARCIA HOLMES NM-01 Public lands remain top of agenda in NM’s 1st District In New Mexico’s 1st District, Representative Deb to conserve at least 30 percent of the nation’s Haaland secured a second term in Congress in a water and land by 2030. She also introduced The race against Republican candidate Michelle Garcia Environmental Justice in Recreation Permitting Holmes. Act as well as the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act, both of which aim Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, to increase access to public lands. Haaland made history when she took office in 2018 and campaigned on her support for the Natural became one of the first Indigeous women members Resources Management Act, also known as of Congress. With a deep understanding that public the Public Lands Package, and introduced the lands in the U.S. are lands that Native people Antiquities Act of 2019 which has a goal of fighting have inhabited or used for material and spiritual climate change by protecting land from extraction, purposes, Haaland made outdoor issues a central honoring sacred sites, and ensuring public lands pillar in her platform and campaign. are protected for future generations.

When she joined Congress in 2018, Haaland Notably, Haaland supported bold environmental was made the Vice Chair of the House Natural reforms such as the Green New Deal and a ban on Resources Committee, a key legislative body fracking, despite being a representative from one focused on environmental legislation with of the nation’s biggest oil-producing states.47 jurisdiction over critical issues like climate change.46 She engaged almost immediately in the Haaland’s opponent failed to recognize the passion fight over Bears Ears, denouncing the national voters in the district have for outdoor issues monument’s downsizing during hearings on and conservation and did not prioritize outdoor Capitol Hill and co-sponsoring bills that would issues in the campaign. Haaland handily won restore protections to Bears Ears and prevent the reelection in a race expected to be closer than it executive branch from shrinking or abolishing turned out. In addition to helping her on her way national monuments in the future. to reelection, Haaland’s outdoor issues record has put her in consideration for Secretary of the Haaland introduced the 30x30 Resolution to Interior Department under the incoming Biden Save Nature to set a goal for the United States administration.

Deb Haaland Facebook Ad

Deb Haaland for Congress I know just how important our “ public lands and open spaces are to New Mexicans. It’s part of who we are… I’m running for reelection to continue fighting for our public lands and open spaces. 25 TORRES SMALL vs. HERRELL NM-02 A cautionary tale for pro-conservation candidates In New Mexico’s second district, which Herrell—who formerly served as encompasses the entire southern half a state chairperson for the Koch- of the state, Republican candidate backed American Legislative Yvette Herrell defeated incumbent Exchange Council, a nonprofit that Rep. Xochitl Torres Small. It was a has aggressively sought to privatize rematch from 2018 when Torres Small public lands—campaigned on a narrowly defeated Herrell by just platform that starkly contrasted with Rep. Xochitl under 4,000 votes. Torres Small’s on outdoor issues. Torres Small Herrell aligned herself with the Trump @RepTorresSmall Before being elected to Congress administration’s deregulatory agenda Beautiful weekend in 2018, Torres Small worked as and said she supports bringing the “ for a hike to Achenbach Canyon in an attorney on clean water access timber industry back to New Mexico the Organ Mountains and other environmental issues in and streamlining permitting for the oil with @FriendsOMDP! New Mexico and later as an aide to and gas industry.49 Protecting our public lands continues to be a the outgoing Sen. Tom Udall. She priority of mine to make highlighted her background and While the question over fracking sure generations to come routinely showed her connection to in the presidential debates did not have the change to enjoy our district’s natural the land in her advertising on the way impact most races in the West, it resources. #NMTrue to an upset win in the traditionally did become an issue in this district. Jan 6, 2020 conservative district. Throughout her campaign, Herrell attacked Torres Small in ads and In Congress, she serves on the social media content with misleading powerful House Homeland Security statements on her position towards and Agriculture committees. Her the oil and gas industry in the state. record on outdoor issues includes Torres Small was pulled into the support for the Great American dynamics of the national energy Outdoors Act, bills that protect the debate and made statements in favor Grand Canyon and Chaco Canyon from of oil and gas development that may oil and gas development, and a public have undermined her public lands Yvette Herrell lands conservation package known credentials with outdoor voters.50 @Yvette4Congress as the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Despite a strong record on outdoor My opponent opposes Conservation Act (which included issues, she lost reelection in one of “ the development of oil & gas as the most the Every Kid Outdoors Act, which most closely watched congressional efficient #energy source. she co-sponsored). In her campaign, races in the country. The oil and gas industry Torres Small centered the idea that is a cornerstone of NM’s economy. I fully support protecting public lands is essential New Mexico’s energy- for economic development in New driven economy and 48 look forward to working Mexico. on policies that ensure its continued growth. #NMpol

Oct 11, 2018 26 LEGER FERNANDEZ vs. JOHNSON NM-03 Strong conservation record brings success Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez beat Republican Leger Fernandez campaigned on her support of the candidate Alexis Johnson for the open seat in the Green New Deal and is intent on reducing carbon House of Representatives for New Mexico’s 3rd pollution, rejoining the Paris Climate Accord, and Congressional District. Throughout the race, both investing in renewable energy resources. On public candidates talked about the urgency of action on lands, she stated: “[public lands are] one of our outdoor issues but differed on their platforms. most valuable resources and we need to protect [them] into the future for all Americans, and for all Before campaigning, Leger Fernandez had a long people who live here—or come to visit... we need history of on-the-ground environmental advocacy. to recognize that we cannot have very short term She worked for 30 years as counsel for tribes and gains and sacrifice our long-term values, whether their business entities, in which she lobbied in it’s something like sacrificing the importance of support of community solar and environmental Chaco Canyon to all of humanity for very short reform. She also served as Commissioner of Las gains of a few oil and gas wells.”52 Acequias de Chupadero, where she successfully defeated a developer’s attempt to take the local Republican challenger Alexis Johnson, an Acequias’ water out of the Chupadero Valley. environmental engineer and rancher, approached Recently, Fernandez worked on renewable energy outdoor issues with an emphasis on advocacy legislation at the New Mexico state legislature for continued fossil fuel extraction using new on behalf of the All Pueblo Council of Governors technologies to reduce emissions. On public lands and helped secure over $70 million to rebuild she stated, “I do not promote extreme government contaminated and dilapidated water and control. I know that the gentlemen and the women wastewater infrastructure for low income villages in New Mexico know how to utilize their [public] and communities.51 In a crowded primary election, land and keep it for their children and their Leger Fernandez’ work on public lands and tribal children’s children.”53 issues made her stand out on her way to victory. Johnson’s positions put her on the wrong side of outdoor voters in New Mexico and she lost to Leger Fernandez by a significant margin. Quote from Teresa Leger Fernandez

[Different agencies] don’t live here—or come to visit. People “ always have a unified mission. are drawn to our beautiful natural And I think that mission should be beauty. And we need to recognize that these lands are public, they that we cannot have very short are common good, they belong term gains and sacrifice our to every American citizen, and long-term values, whether it’s they must be protected into the something like sacrificing the future. This is one of our most importance of Chaco Canyon to all valuable resources and we need of humanity for very short gains to protect it into the future for all of a few oil and gas wells. Americans, and for all people who 27 UTAH A change of direction in the beehive state Though public lands have long been a flashpoint for Utah’s elected officials, access to outdoor recreation is a draw for visitors and locals alike. Much of that activity occurs on national public lands, which make up nearly two-thirds of the state. In recent years, with the recreation and tourism economy playing a bigger role in the state’s economy, public lands conservation has gained significance in the political discourse, clashing with anti-conservation views long held by many Utah elected officials.

28 PETERSON vs. COX UT GOVERNOR A move towards balance in the Governor’s office In what was ultimately a non- and should continue to be the competitive contest, Republican premier recreation destination for Spencer Cox, Utah’s Lt. Governor, people around the globe. Public chartered a different path for lands are central to what makes Utah Republicans in the state on public different, and they’re a big part of lands and climate issues in his what makes us great.” Cox said he is successful race for Governor. “committed to keeping Utah’s public lands public—and will take steps to Republican leaders in Utah had involve our citizens in the creation We are a public a track record of being so hostile and implementation of public lands “ lands state, we to public lands that the Outdoor policies.” have always been Industry Association moved its bi- a public lands annual Outdoor Retailer convention Cox broke ranks with state state, and we will to Denver, leaving Salt Lake City after Republicans and the Trump always be a public 20 years—a $45 million hit to the local administration by acknowledging lands state. It’s economy. “clear evidence” of a changing climate one of the things in wildfires.54 He previously said that makes Utah Cox took a more balanced approach. Republicans had “done a terrible job” so incredible. His campaign website said, “Utah talking about public lands and called is blessed with some of the world’s for an “understanding on public lands” —Spencer Cox most breathtaking natural wonders. across ideological differences.55, 56 We’re proud of our natural resources

Chris Peterson Facebook Ad

Chris Peterson For Utah Governor Utah’s public lands are “ some of the most incredible in the world and they are an important historical and cultural cornerstone of our lifestyle. Utahns deserve a governor who will fight for their right to experience these beautiful landscapes. The current administration repeatedly puts the interests of politicians in Washington D.C. and their corporate donors ahead of ordinary Utahns. That’s not okay. It’s time for change. 29 McADAMS vs. OWENS UT-04 Close loss for Utah’s only pro-conservation Congress member Democratic Representative Ben McAdams narrowly lost his reelection bid despite staking out bold public lands positions in a conservative state and district that was reliably Republican until he won it by less than 700 votes in 2018.

His victory followed the legally- questionable decision by the Trump administration to reduce the size of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments which thrust public lands into the spotlight in the unexpectedly close congressional race.

McAdams was the only member of Utah’s congressional delegation to oppose a bill to restrict a president’s ability to designate new national monuments through the Antiquities Act. He was also the only Utah congress member to support the Great American Outdoor Act.

The Republican challenger in the race, former professional football player Burgess Owens, spoke minimally on public lands or environmental issues in the campaign and instead relied on other issues to carry him to victory in Tweet from Ben McAdams the traditionally conservative district. Rep Ben McAdams @RepBenMcAdams

As Utah families prepare for summer trips “ to the national parks, I signed onto this bill. The bipartisan #RestoreOurParksAct invests in much needed infrastructure improvements in Utah’s beloved national parks. #utpol May 22, 2019 30 PUBLIC LANDS IN THE STATE HOUSE A SURVEY OF STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES WHERE PUBLIC LANDS PLAYED AN OUTSIZED ROLE Colorado State House, 27: Brianna Titone won by New Mexico State House, 35: Angelica Rubio, focusing on renewable energy, water conservation, who passed a bill to create New Mexico’s Office of and climate. Outdoor Equity, won her election.

Colorado State Senate, 3: Chris Hansen won by New Mexico State House, 26: Georgene Louis, focusing on climate impacts on outdoor tourism/ who introduced wildlife corridors legislation, won economy, transition for communities dependent her election. on fossil fuels, methane regulation, and water conservation. Arizona State Senate, 4: Lisa Otondo won by focusing on water conservation and management Idaho State Senate, 26: Michelle Stennett won and green jobs in rural areas. against Eric Parker, a participant in the Bundy Ranch standoff. Arizona State House, 2: Andrea Dalessandro, Ranking Democrat member of the Senate Natural Idaho State Senate, 5: David Nelson won against Resources, Energy and Water Committee, won her climate change denier Dan Foreman. election.

Nevada State Senate, 7: Roberta Lange won Montana State Senate, 31: Chris Pope won by focusing on public land protection, climate by focusing on protecting public land access, change, and setting a 50 percent renewable energy clean air and water, energy conservation, and goal by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. renewables.

New Mexico State Senate, 38: Carrie Hamblen, Montana State House, 90: Marilyn Marler won by who helped to designate Organ Mountains Desert focusing on conservation and clean energy. Peaks National Monument, won by focusing on renewable energy, protection of, and access to Montana State House, 16: Tyson Running Wolf, public lands. an outdoor recreation guide, won by focusing on protecting public land access, particularly for New Mexico State House, 42: Kristina Ortez, who protection of the Badger Two Medicine area and has worked with Sierra Club and Taos Land Trust Native American rights. and has worked to expand outdoor recreation and learning opportunities for kids, won her election.

31 LOOKING AHEAD: THE OUTDOOR VOTER AGENDA

As newly elected officials step into office, voters REINING IN UNREGULATED OIL will be looking for campaign messages to be translated into legislative action on public lands. AND GAS DEVELOPMENT Outdoor voters are eager to see a proactive agenda The outdoor activities Western voters love depend to expand and protect national public lands, on keeping energy development away from the namely around access, oil and gas leasing, and the places it should not be. Responsible energy impacts of climate change on outdoor recreation. development requires taking the maximum steps to ensure oil and gas extraction is safe, deferential PROTECTING AND FUNDING to the surrounding environment and wildlife, and provides the public with a fair return for the use of PUBLIC LANDS publicly owned resources. A love for the land is part of Westerners’ regional heritage that connects them across generations. Protecting public lands makes that legacy permanent. But while Western voters believe their government should never reverse progress when it comes to protecting nature, habitats and treasured places, the Mountain West’s lands, waterways and wildlife have become vulnerable:

Western voters are eager to see a proactive agenda to expand and protect national public lands. Western voters show strong support for a variety of common sense regulations and restrictions on • 75 percent of voters support establishing energy development on public lands. a national goal of protecting 30 percent of America’s land and waters by 2030. • 67 percent of Western voters believe oil and gas should be kept in the ground on public lands or allowed within strict limitations and regulations to ensure that the land, wildlife, water, and public safety are protected first and foremost. • 74 percent of Westerners support increasing royalties for oil, gas, and coal extraction on public lands, while 88 percent support requiring oil and gas companies to detect and repair gas leaks in equipment. • 79 percent of Western voters support increasing funding for maintenance and infrastructure on public lands and parks to ensure public access, provide needed upkeep, and stimulate the economy in the West. 32 ADDRESSING THE IMPACTS OF • Nearly two-thirds of Westerners support making public lands a net-zero source of CLIMATE CHANGE ON PUBLIC LANDS carbon pollution to help combat the threat of AND OUTDOOR RECREATION climate change. Mounting impacts of climate change are being felt across the country, and research shows that LOOKING TO 2022 many Western public lands are being impacted more rapidly than the rest of the country. Climate Across the West, 2020’s elections solidified the change is driving longer and more intense wildfire influence of the outdoor voting bloc, centering seasons, decreased snowpack and water retention, public lands and conservation issues as integral to drought, impacts on wildlife, extreme weather winning campaigns. Voters made their priorities events, heat waves, and sea-level rise, all of which clear by supporting candidates who campaigned impact public lands such as national parks. on public lands and conservation, across political parties and different states. The outdoor voting bloc will likely continue to grow, influencing campaigns across the West. As a result, we expect to see campaigns focus even more on public lands issues in coming election cycles. The Center for Western Priorities is excited to continue expanding our Winning the West campaign as the next election nears and looks forward to sharing what we learn. To learn more about our Winning the West 2020 With drought, wildfires, mudslides and poll, or view previous polls and reports, visit unpredictable weather, climate change has WinningTheWest2020.org. Visit OutdoorVoter.org made it clear to Western voters that it’s to learn more about the outdoor enthusiasts who more important than ever to protect natural care about keeping our public lands protected and resources, public lands, and open spaces. accessible.

33 PHOTO CREDITS Cover: Las Cienegas National Great Sand Dunes National Carrizo Plain National Conservation Area Park Monument Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Patrick Myers, National Park Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management Service Management

Red Peak Wilderness Study Alpine Loop National Soaptree Yucca, White Sands Area Backcountry Byway National Park Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Bob Wick, Bureau of Land National Park Service Management Management Glen Canyon National Bike riders in Moab Deep Creek, Colorado Recreation Area Dave Jeppeson, Bureau of Land Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Ken Xu Managment Management Tony Grove, Uinta-Wasatch- “Mailboxes” Ad [1] St. Mary Valley, Glacier Cache National Forest Center for Western Priorities National Park Kelly Wickens, Intermountain Jacob Frank, National Park Forest Service Outdoor Voter Website Service Center for Western Priorities Courthouse Wash, Arches Upper Missouri River Breaks National Park Child fishing National Monument Kait Thomas, National Park Vision Picnet, Pexels Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Service Management Outdoor Voter Website Native Quamash Cover Center for Western Priorities Bowman Lake, Glacier Cropped National Park Oregon Metro “Voting Booth” Ad Jacob Frank, National Park Center for Western Priorities Service “Mailboxes” Ad [2] Center for Western Priorities Shenandoah National Park National Bison Range N. Lewis, National Park Service United States Fish and Wildlife Sunset jump Service Belle Co, Pexels Bike rider Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels Basin and Range National People in the park Monument [2] Leah Kelley, Pexels Juan Bautista De Anza Bob Wick, Bureau of Land National Historic Trail Management Bike rider on mountaintop Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Dorothy Castillo, Pexels Management Basin and Range National Monument [2] “Mailboxes” Ad [3] Grand Canyon DEIS Aerial, Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Center for Western Priorities Colorado River Geikie Peak, Management Grand Canyon Wedge Overlook, Utah National Park Service Pine Forest Range Wilderness Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management Bright Angel Trail, Plateau Management Point View, Grand Canyon Politician headshots Michael Quinn, National Park Organ Mountains National Twitter, Facebook Service Monument Patrick Alexander Sonoran Desert National Monument Rio Grande Wild and Scenic Bob Wick, Bureau of Land River Management Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

34 REFERENCES [1] Siler, Wes. (April 14, 2020). “The Republicans climate-plan/ Who Really Want to Seem Outdoorsy.” Outside Magazine. Last accessed December 8, 2020: [11] C-SPAN. (February 25, 2020). “User Clip: Joe https://www.outsideonline.com/2416011/ Biden on the Arctic Refuge.” Last accessed republican-politicians-outdoor-records December 8, 2020: https://www.c-span.org/ video/?c4856989/user-clip-joe-biden-arctic- [2] D’Angelo, Chris. (August 15, 2020). “Public Land refuge Is Getting Big Play In 2020 Elections In The West.” HuffPost. Last accessed December 8, [12] Campaign of Joe Biden. (2020). “The 2020: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/public- Biden Plan for a Clean Energy Revolution lands-2020-election_n_5f36fccfc5b6959911e478 and Environmental Justice.” Last accessed 5c?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004 December 8, 2020: https://joebiden.com/ climate-plan/ [3] Center for Western Priorities. (2020). “Winning the West.” Last accessed December 15, 2020: [13] Road to 30. (2020). “The 30x30 Goal.” Last https://westernpriorities.org/winning-the- accessed December 8, 2020: https://www. west-2020/ roadto30.org/learn

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