In an interesting occurrence, the Sierra Club announced its dual endorsement last week of Jeannine Pearce and Eric Gray—excluding just one other candidate for the Second District city council seat: Joen Garnica.
Sierra Club-Long Beach Area Chair Gabrielle Weeks said the organization has given dual endorsements in the past, and Pearce and Gray offered complimentary perspectives on environmental issues relating to Long Beach.
“We had an interview committee, and we really liked the answers both candidates [Pearce and Gray] provided,” said Weeks. “The other candidate didn’t return our questionnaire, and didn’t seek our endorsement.”
Pearce and Gray were enthusiastic about the support.
“As a lifelong environmentalist who’s first recycling drive was in 1986, I am honored to receive the support of the Sierra Club,” said Pearce in a statement. “Their vision and commitment to protecting our natural resources and the health of our community inspired me. I carry this endorsement with great pride.”
“It is an honor to receive the endorsement of the Sierra Club and as a longtime resident and community leader in the 2nd District I look forward to partnering with the Sierra Club to solve most pressing environmental needs, including improving our air and water quality, increasing the number of LEED certified buildings, and completing our transition to a fully sustainable city,” said Gray in a statement.
Sierra Club Long Beach Area Group is part of the 2,500-member Angeles Sierra Club, named after the Angeles Mountain Range and including Los Angeles and Orange counties. The group advocates for clean water, better public transportation, renewable energy and water and energy conservation. For more information regarding the group, visit http://www.sierraclub.org/angeles/long-beach.