Climate voters influenced local races despite a Trump victory
In battleground states like Michigan and Arizona, voters who prioritized climate change helped elect Democratic senators even as Donald Trump won the presidency.
Sachi Kitajima Mulkey reports for Grist.
In short:
- Climate change ranked as the fifth most important issue in 2024 exit polls, nearly doubling its 2020 ranking.
- Democratic Senate candidates in key states gained significant support from climate-focused voters, securing victories despite Republican wins in other races.
- Environmental ballot initiatives, from conservation funding in Louisiana to climate resilience investments in California, passed across the political spectrum.
Key quote:
“Broadly speaking, large majorities of Americans want to take action on climate change, but it is a high priority for very, very few voters.”
— Nathaniel Stinnett, executive director of the Environmental Voter Project
Why this matters:
While climate change was overshadowed by economic concerns in the presidential race, growing voter support for environmental issues is shaping local and state-level policies. These shifts suggest that bipartisan progress on climate action remains possible, regardless of national politics.
For more: Voters prioritize economic issues over climate in 2024 election
