NJ-26 Candidate Takes Ride On PeaceBoat, Pitches For Clean Energy – Caldwells, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A candidate for the New Jersey Assembly used a ride on the “PeaceBoat” to pitch for clean energy as part of her campaign to represent the state’s 26th District.

In commemoration of World Oceans Day, Christine Clarke – a Democratic party member who is taking on Republicans Reps. Jay Webber and Betty Lou DeCroce – recently served as an honorary advisor to the UN NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY.

The president of the committee invited Clarke to take a voyage aboard the PeaceBoat, a renewable-energy-powered vessel used to promote peace and sustainability.

Clarke previously gave a presentation to the committee in May at the Salvation Army Social Justice Commission auditorium on the importance of advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals by running for public office.

According to Clarke, “candidacy as activism” provides a platform that environmentalists can use to inform voters, impact legislators and advance smart public policies focused on sustainability and achieving development goals.

Clarke said she sees the “booming renewable energy industry” as a vehicle to build revenue for the state, add new jobs and supply chain work, improve workers’ lives and livelihoods, protect public health from pollution, cut energy bills and reduce harmful emissions contributing to climate change.

Renewable energy can also mean “tens of thousands of union jobs” for New Jersey, Clarke said.

“We’re in this together and we need a fair and just transition to clean energy urgently to protect our communities and natural resources,” Clarke said. “As good stewards of our environment for our children and future generations, it’s upon us to make sure we elect people who will represent not only constituents but our collective legacy.”

In addition to her role as an Honorary Advisor to the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development, Clarke is a Climate Reality Leader and a steering committee member of the Jersey Renews coalition, the NJ People’s Climate Movement and the NJ March for Science. She is the Chair of the Jefferson Township Democratic Committee and former Environmental Director of Action Together New Jersey. She was named to Senator Menendez’s Environment and Science Leadership Council during his re-election campaign and was an early organizer with NJ 11th For Change.

Clarke is endorsed by the New Jersey Sierra Club, by Action Together New Jersey and by the Democratic Party in Morris, Essex and Passaic counties. She has lived in Jefferson for 15 years with her husband and four children.

Learn more about her campaign.

Another Democratic candidate, Laura Fortgang, is also running for one of the two available seats in the 26th District.

New Jersey’s 26th District includes the following towns: Butler, Fairfield (Essex), Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Rockaway Township, Verona, West Caldwell, West Milford.

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