Columbus, OH — The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Action Fund has announced its endorsement of Nan Whaley for Ohio Governor and Cheryl Stephens for Lieutenant Governor.
“From the corruption surrounding the House Bill 6 scandal to the repeated attempts to cheat Ohio voters from a fair redistricting process, it is clear we need new state leadership,” said Trish Demeter, Director of the OEC Action Fund. “Ohioans deserve strong leaders who will stand up to the corruption plaguing our state. We deserve leaders who will prioritize bold climate action and clean energy job growth. We deserve leaders who will fight for the health of our environment and our communities. Nan Whaley and Cheryl Stephens are those leaders.”
As mayor of Dayton, Whaley fought to protect the region’s drinking water from polluters and took significant steps in the fight against climate change by adopting 100 percent renewable energy goals. Whaley served as the President of the United States Conference of Mayors and is a part of the Climate Mayors Network. She has advocated at the national and international level to reduce our carbon emissions and make our cities stronger, more equitable and more resilient.
Whaley has been a vocal supporter of the Marshall Plan for Middle America, a regional roadmap to drive equitable infrastructure development in the Ohio Valley, as well as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. She is committed to growing good-paying jobs in clean energy and water infrastructure across the state.
Whaley’s running mate, Cheryl Stephens has also been a strong advocate for a healthy environment through her work at East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation and the Cuyahoga County Land Bank, as well as her service as a Cuyahoga County Council member on the Environment & Sustainability Committee.
“With strong track records on addressing the environmental needs of their communities as well as a bold vision for pursuing climate action and natural resource protection, the OEC Action Fund is proud to endorse Nan Whaley for Governor and Cheryl Stephens for Lieutenant Governor,” said Demeter.
Both Whaley and Stephens have committed to battling Statehouse corruption and restoring public trust.
“Ohioans are paying every day for the corruption surrounding House Bill 6, because leaders have failed to fully repeal the bad bill. Since 2020, Ohioans have paid at least $225 million to bail out coal plants, one of which is in Indiana. This is in addition to increasing utility bills due to HB 6’s elimination of cost-saving energy efficiency rebate programs and incentives for renewable energy development. Nan Whaley’s comprehensive plan to combat corruption and restore Ohio ethics is critical to ensuring our state government is working for Ohioans,” said Demeter.
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The OEC Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization, seeks to protect and enhance the environment, economic viability, and health of all Ohio communities by expanding access to public lands, advancing critical environmental priorities, holding policy makers accountable, and electing environmental champions.
Media Inquiries: ebacha<at>theoec.org
