KLIMAWIRE | Some of the most important battlegrounds in this election for climate policy have nothing to do with the Electoral College.
Governors’ mansions, legislatures and even climate policy itself are on the ballot across the country.
In Washington state, voters will give an up-or-down verdict on one of the country’s most aggressive emissions-reduction systems. In North Carolina, the next governor could get legislative support to promote electric vehicles, or the governor’s office could turn to a Republican who denies the reality of climate change. And in Minnesota, where Gov. Tim Walz introduced major climate laws before becoming vice president, Democrats want to defend tight control over the Legislature.
About supporting science journalism
If you like this article, please consider supporting our award-winning journalism subscribe. By purchasing a subscription, you’re helping to ensure a future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas that shape our world.
These down-ballot races will have ramifications far beyond state lines. After years of crafting and finally passing climate policy, Democrats are about to discover just how popular these actions really are, and how safe it is for lawmakers elsewhere to copy them.
“Once climate policy is established, can you implement it? Can you hold it? Can you extend it?” said Craig Segall, senior vice president of environment for the group Evergreen Action.
This year’s contests come after the 2022 terms gave Democrats the power to govern in states like Michigan and Minnesota. Democrats used that power to pass new climate laws, like clean electricity standards for both states.
As the election approaches, Democrats say they are encouraged by how their laws have performed on the campaign trail.
Climate “is a big part of our platform,” said Michigan House Speaker Tem. Laurie Pohutsky, one of the Democrats who helped push the state’s clean energy package into law.
Republicans have ceded almost the entire climate issue, he added, as well as policies that align with conservative ideas, such as Michigan’s new law that makes it easier for landowners to allow renewable energy projects on their property.
“These bills were all partisan votes, and that’s wild to me,” Pohutsky said. “Being able to do that comparison and contrast has been very, very helpful.”
That’s true across the country, as state lawmakers echo the dominant narratives within their own parties.
Minnesota House Majority Leader Jamie Long, author of the state’s clean electricity standard, sees that as an advantage for Democrats. Former President Donald Trump, he said, has made it difficult for Republicans to talk about climate without alienating certain segments of the electorate.
“These issues are on the ballot,” Long said, “and it’s certainly something that many of our candidates are talking about and that voters care about.”
Here are the states where down-ballot races will shape climate policy.
Washington
Washington’s cap-and-trade referendum has become one of this year’s most important ballot initiatives, with billions of dollars and the future of state climate policy hanging in the balance.
Since it began last year, Washington’s system has collected more than $2 billion in auctioning carbon credits from major polluters, utilities and fuel refiners, with the number of credits decreasing each year to reach net zero emissions by 2050. This money has financed the emissions. – Cutting projects such as the electrification of mass transport. Washington politicians are also considering linking the state’s carbon market with California and Quebec, a major expansion that other states are watching closely.
But amid voters’ concerns about inflation, some blamed cap and investment for rising gas prices in Washington.
Initiative 2117 would repeal the system. It was a referendum Funded by GOP megadonor Brian Heywooda hedge fund manager who has squandered millions of dollars trying to overturn various policies enacted by Democratic legislatures.
The fossil fuel industry has largely stayed away from repeal, and cap-and-trade supporters – driven by large dollar donors they, like Bill Gates, have launched a campaign to defeat the referendum.
Another Haywood-funded referendum, Initiative 2066, would prevent state and local governments from banning gas in buildings.
Voters will also elect a successor to Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, who over three terms made climate a central focus of state government while also making Washington a hub for climate policy. Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson is facing off against former Republican Rep. Dave Reichert.
Minnesota
In 2023, Minnesota Democrats used a one-vote majority in the Legislature to pass a clean electricity standard, an overhaul of the state’s transportation system, clean energy subsidies and other climate policies.
Dubbed by progressives as the “second Minnesota miracle” (the first was the state’s education reforms half a century ago), the wave of policymaking helped the midwestern state’s low-profile governor land the presidential ticket.
Now, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is working to maintain the majority that approved those policies.
All seats are in the House, where the DFL holds a 70-64 majority. And there is a special election for a seat in the Senate, which is currently split 34-34.
Climate policy has become an important issue in races that could decide majority control.
For example, he is the Republican candidate in the state Senate race Kathleen FowkeFrom 2011 to 2021, he was the CEO of Xcel Energy, a real estate agent. He faces Ann Johnson Stewart, a former DFL state senator and civil engineer.
The candidates’ backgrounds have made a stark contrast, Long said.
“Climate has been a big issue in that district,” the state House Majority Leader said.
Michigan
Michigan is another state where, after Democrats passed major climate policies, they regained control of the legislature after the term.
These include a new state electricity rule requiring all power to come from “clean” sources by 2040, zoning reforms that make it easier for landowners to locate renewable energy, and other policies aimed at securing federal climate funding.
Democrats control the House 56-54, meaning Republicans need to flip just one seat to achieve a tie that would prevent the bills from advancing. (The Senate, which Democrats control 20-18, is not up for election this year.)
Republicans got a recent boost when Ford recently announced Dearborn production of the F-150 Lighting, the company’s flagship electric truck, will be suspended until 2025 due to sluggish sales.
Pohutsky, the Democratic speaker, downplayed the impact he could have on presidential or state races.
The auto industry is no stranger to ups and downs, he said. It’s important for voters to see that Democrats are fighting to bring jobs to Michigan.
“The people who live in those communities at least appreciate that we did our best to bring these projects here,” he said. “We don’t leave it to industry alone, we pass it on to technology.”
North Carolina
Republicans have since watched the Tar Heel State governor slip away from their grasp CNN reported their candidate, Gov. Mark Robinson, calls himself a “black NAZI!” and over a decade ago he said “slavery is not bad” on a porn site. Robinson has denied making the messages.
But the current Democratic governor, Roy Cooper, has repeatedly put his climate plans through the House, where Republicans hold a large majority. The GOP Legislature has blocked the governor from adopting California’s vehicle standards and inclusion in the Northeast’s electricity cap-and-trade program.
The same dynamic would await Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein if he wins the governorship, unless Republicans lose just one seat in the House.
Republicans won a bare majority in 2023 when state Rep. Tricia Cotham switched parties before casting a decisive vote in favor of new abortion restrictions.
Democrats have made Cotham’s seat a top priority this year million dollars flowing in the neighborhood
Reprinted E&E News Courtesy of POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2024. E&E News provides essential news for energy and environmental professionals.
