Today we’re endorsing Jessica Morse in California’s 4th District, which covers the eastern Sacramento suburbs and the heart of the Sierra Nevada — including Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. The district is on fire. Literally. Yesterday for the first time in nearly 30 years, the National Park Service was forced to close access to Yosemite Valley due to a forest fire.

By RL Miller

Climate Hawks VOTE

And where’s Morse’s opponent, incumbent Tom McClintock? This week he’s meeting with Trump’s Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to discuss flooding more of California’s majestic forests with new dams. It’s par for the course for an original tea party, climate denying, tree hating ideologue who has lost touch with his district.

This is an opportunity to both elect a climate hawk and simultaneously defeat one of Congress’s most outspoken anti-environmental zealots.

We like Jessica for her fearless commitment to pricing carbon, fresh ideas on forest management, and recognition that climate change is a national security issue. Her professional background includes work spreading green technology to India. And she’s signed the Oil Money Out pledge.

This district is also personal to me. I’ve strolled Yosemite Valley’s floor, marveled at Lake Tahoe’s crystal waters, and hiked the backcountry.

Alas, if like me you’ve been to the Sierras lately, you know that climate change is already wreaking havoc. Shrunken snowpack. Drought fueling bark beetle infestations. Fire upon fire upon fire.

We know it will get worse. But how much worse?

The answer depends on how quickly we get to zero emissions. And that depends on electing a Congress who’ll prioritize aggressive climate action now.

That won’t happen with McClintock, who’s notorious for denying climate change, opposing wilderness, and promoting logging and dams as the answer to pretty much any question.

The district’s pretty red. But Jessica is a national security strategist with deep roots in the district and an ability to connect with rural voters across party lines. And she’s proven the ability to fundraise by building her own grassroots base. All the pundits have moved the race out of the “safe Republican” category, for the first time in years, because Jessica is the first candidate in years with a solid chance of defeating him.

Now it’s our time to show Tom McClintock that climate hawks have Jessica’s back.

Can you chip in $3.50 to help Jessica Morse defeat Tom McClintock?

Learn more about Jessica Morse’s campaign and how YOU can help