For Immediate Release, October 08, 2024
Contact: Gail Evans, (505) 463 5293, [email protected]
Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund Endorses Debbie Sariñana in New Mexico’s House District 21
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, the 501(c)(4) political arm of the Center for Biological Diversity, today announced its endorsement of Democrat Debbie Sariñana for re-election to New Mexico’s House District 21.
A retired Albuquerque Public Schools math and science teacher, Sariñana has been a leading advocate for protecting New Mexicans from the harms of oil and gas pollution and transitioning to clean renewable energy. She has led efforts to establish health buffer zones around schools to protect students from oil and gas production and pollution. Sariñana has also worked in the state House to pass urgently needed environmental and public health protections from fracking, highlighting the state’s responsibility to ensure the safety of New Mexican families.
“We need bold leaders like Debbie Sariñana who not only understand our climate and extinction crises but are working urgently to address them,” said Gail Evans with the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund. “Rep. Sariñana has led efforts in the New Mexico legislature to protect our children and families from the harms of oil and gas pollution. She’s fearless in her efforts to ensure that children who live in heavy oil and gas producing regions of the state aren’t poisoned while they’re at school.”
Sariñana, a former Air Force reservist, has deep ties to District 21. She grew up, raised her family and taught for 20 years in the east Albuquerque district. Sariñana, a four-term legislator, ran unopposed in the June Democratic primary.
“I cannot be quiet in the face of the clear science that children are harmed by being near oil and gas production and pollution,” said Rep. Sariñana. “The health harms of fossil fuel production make it clear that New Mexico needs to turn quickly towards a clean energy future.”
The Center Action Fund is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for legislation and legislators that will advance a progressive environmental agenda. The Center Action Fund is the 501(c)(4) affiliate of the Center for Biological Diversity, but these organizations’ names are not interchangeable. This news release is from the Center Action Fund, not the Center for Biological Diversity.