Grassroots community powers Sierra Club DC PAC out of the gate, in contrast to corporate money forming behind one candidate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2025
Contact: David Whitehead, Co-Chair, Sierra Club DC PAC, david.whitehead@sierraclub.org, 202-417-6752
Sierra Club DC PAC stands out in its first financial filing, demonstrating the broad grassroots support behind its mission: support green champions and hold climate villains accountable. The District’s first-ever green PAC gathered more than 7 times as many grassroots supporters as nearly all the other independent expenditure PACs this reporting cycle.
“DC is tired of its elected officials making promises to keep our city sustainable, healthy, and affordable, but then not following through. The breadth of our fundraising in the first 30 days demonstrates that the climate community is ready for accountability and action. We know DC voters want their candidates to be right on the climate and fight to keep utility bills low. Our supporters are helping us shine a spotlight on who truly has been a consistent champion for people, and who has been all talk and no action,” said PAC Co-Chair David Whitehead.
Sierra Club DC PAC will ensure DC voters have all the facts on candidates’ climate records through hard-hitting direct mail and digital strategies. Voters who don’t follow the detailed workings of the DC Council and local government might not know which officials have stood up for DC’s environment and worked to ensure DC is healthy and affordable when it was not easy to do so, and which have actively impeded progress. Through Sierra Club DC PAC, voters will get a detailed analysis from a trusted voice in the community.
“We are grateful to all who have helped launch this PAC out of the gate. Sierra Club DC PAC reflects the energy and hard work of thousands of community members who keep fighting for a more sustainable, healthier, and affordable DC. Corporate-backed groups are clearly going to flood DC with money to advance their preferred candidate, Kenyan McDuffie. What these groups lack is authenticity and local trust — DC voters are demanding a candidate who will work for them, not cozy up to utilities and special interests like Kenyan McDuffie has done consistently throughout his career,” said PAC Co-Chair Matt Gravatt
The 2026 elections will bring DC a brand new executive branch and new councilmembers. The open race for mayor creates a contest for the most powerful position in District government, which has direct authority over nearly all agencies that address local climate and environmental issues. At the Council level, there are three wide-open races, creating a significant opportunity to solidify a stronger green caucus in the District’s local legislature. Sierra Club DC PAC will invest in high-impact local races to stack our local politics with environmental champions and remove leaders who impede our District’s climate goals.
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Visit www.sierraclubdcpac.com to learn more.
Paid for by Sierra Club DC PAC, 50 F Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20001. Matthew Gravatt, Treasurer.
A copy of our report is filed with the Director of Campaign Finance of the District of Columbia Board of Elections.