TRENTON—Chris Daggett, independent candidate for Governor, today said he was honored by the endorsement from the New Jersey Sierra Club, saying the backing by one of the nation’s pre-eminent conservation groups underscores his decades-long commitment to safeguarding the environment. ( Chris Daggett’s Speech and the Environment Policy )

“As someone who has worked closely with the Sierra Club on numerous occasions over the past 25 years, I know they share my belief that the best way to protect our precious natural resources is by making decisions based on the best science and sound public policy,’’ Daggett said at a press conference at the Statehouse.

When elected Governor, Daggett promised he would make developing a stable source of open space funding one of his highest priorities and he would seek to re-establish New Jersey as a leader in the field of environmental science and policy.

“Only an independent Governor can make the nonpartisan decisions that face the state to benefit the public interest, not special interests,’’ Daggett said. “While we don’t always agree, the Sierra Club knows that I decide issues based on the best science and public policy, balancing environmental protection and economic development. A good economy and environmental protection go hand in hand.’’

It is the first time in the organization’s long history it has endorsed an independent candidate for Governor.

Remarks of Chris Daggett

Chris Daggett & Jeff Tittel of Sierra Club

Thank you. I am deeply gratified to receive the endorsement of the Sierra Club, one of New Jersey’s – and the nation’s — leading environmental advocacy organizations.

The Sierra Club has a rich history. Founded by the legendary John Muir to protect Yosemite, Sierra successfully advocated the creation of the National Park Service, prevented the damming of the Grand Canyon, and championed the Clean Air Act and the Superfund law.

I have worked with Sierra as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection and as Region II administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a wide range of issues, from ending ocean dumping and improving air quality to cleaning up toxic sites and protecting the Great Swamp.

Last year I chaired the Department of Environmental Protection Permit Efficiency Task Force, whose 24 members ranged from staunch environmentalists like Jeff to business and non-profit leaders, and local and county officials. Meeting over a period of four months, we were able to reach unanimous consensus on how to improve the regulatory process without sacrificing environmental protection. (Final Report DEP Task Force PDF)

That process – and the willingness of all parties to balance the overall interests of the state with stakeholder concerns – is the model for the cooperative, inclusive way we will all need to work together to solve New Jersey’s most intractable problems.

The watchword of Sierra is stewardship – stewardship for our land, air and water, stewardship for our state and nation, stewardship for our planet. I know your endorsement is not given lightly, and it is not taken lightly.

Sierra’s endorsement brings us closer to our ultimate goal – bringing responsible leadership to a governor’s office that for the past 15 years has too often put partisan politics ahead of the people’s interest, that has put short-term politics ahead of long-range solutions – that has failed to be a responsible steward for the interests of the citizens of New Jersey not only on the environment, but on jobs and education and fiscal issues as well.

Frank and I are grateful for the support we have received from the Rev. Reginald Jackson of the Black Ministers’ Council of New Jersey and the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey for the education reform plan we released last week, and for the endorsement by Sierra today.

We have qualified for public matching funds, we are in the official debates, and we cracked 10 percent in the most recent poll – and that is without spending a dime yet on paid media. Our momentum is building each day.

Once again, we are grateful for Sierra’s endorsement, and we look forward not only to the campaign ahead, but to the challenges of governing this great state.