Contact: Mike Saccone, Communications Advisor, NWF Action Fund, MikeSaccone@nwa.org, 202-797-6634

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 12, 2022) — The National Wildlife Federation Action Fund endorsed Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for re-election, citing their exemplary leadership on recovering wildlife, acting on climate, prioritizing conservation, restoring the Great Lakes, protecting the state’s democratic institutions, and creating sustainable jobs.

“The Great Lakes support millions of people and wildlife alike — and Michigan’s leaders have centered this fact throughout their first terms in office. Governor Whitmer, Attorney General Nessel, and Secretary of State Benson have provided Michigan and the region examples of how state leaders not only can center conservation in their work, but also the connections between a healthy economy, democracy, and the environment,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund. “Thanks to their leadership, Michigan is making record investments in clean water infrastructure, creating sustainable jobs, holding polluters accountable, and supporting state and local parks. We are honored to endorse them each for re-election.”

“The health of Michigan families and the strength of our economy depend on the fundamentals of clean air and safe water. We are making Michigan a global leader in combating climate change and ensuring the future of sustainable manufacturing and electrification is Michigan made, by Michigan workers, benefitting Michigan communities,” Whitmer said. “I am proud to have the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund in my corner, and I will continue to work with anyone to deliver results that protect our environment and create resilient, good-paying jobs.”

Whitmer has served as Michigan’s 49th governor since 2019. She previously served in the Michigan’s House of Representatives from 2001-2006, and in the state’s Senate from 2006-2015. As governor, she is making Michigan a global leader in combating climate change, securing good-paying, long-lasting green jobs, and has worked tirelessly to improve access to safe drinking water, among other accomplishments.

Nessel has served as Michigan’s 54th attorney general since 2019. She has led efforts in Michigan to address PFAS contamination in Michigan and hold polluters accountable, has doggedly worked to shutdown Line 5 utilizing all possible legal mechanisms, has prosecuted those involved in the Flint Water crisis and negotiated a preliminary settlement for victims, and has been a stalwart defender of democracy and voting rights.

Benson has served as Michigan’s 43rd secretary of state since 2019. She has overseen the implementation of voter-approved ballot proposals, including Proposal 2 to create an independent citizen redistricting council to prevent gerrymandering and Proposal 3 increasing voter access to ballots by ensuring no-reason voting, among other constitutional guarantees. She also has been a national leader in advocating for and defending the state’s democratic institutions from misinformation and unfounded attacks.

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The National Wildlife Federation Action Fund (a 501(c)(4) organization) works to raise the visibility of key conservation issues with voters and elected officials. Through grassroots action and focused legislative campaigns, the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund advocates for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life and political stripes to ensure they have a voice in the democratic process.

To ensure a big tent for our shared conservation values, we remain fiercely bi-partisan and put conservation of our air, water, land and wildlife above political party.  We believe in bi-partisan solutions, and welcome all who are stewards of the earth to join us. We advocate for natural resource protection, wildlife conservation and outdoor education to meet our top goals of protecting wildlife and wild places and connecting people with nature.

The National Wildlife Federation Action Fund is the sister organization to the National Wildlife Federation (a 501(c)(3) organization), America’s largest wildlife conservation organization. The National Wildlife Federation has been on the front lines for wildlife since 1936, fighting for the conservation values that are woven into the fabric of our nation’s heritage.