Sierra Club backs Watson Coleman, Belgard bids for N.J. Congress

The nation’s largest environmental groups has endorsed two New Jersey candidates in their quest for a seat in the U.S. House.

Citing her commitment to combat climate change, promote renewable energy, and protect open space, the Sierra Club is backing Bonnie Watson Coleman in the 12th Congressional District race.

Watson-Coleman is considered the favorite against Republican Aleita Eck in the heavily Democratic district.

The group has already endorsed Democrat Aimee Belgard in the 3rd District race.

A recent Stockton Polling Institute survey shows Belgard and Republican Tom MacArthur in a close race with each getting about 42 percent of voter support. The are running for the seat now held by U.S. Rep. Jon Runyan.

New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittel said the group’s support matters.

“We think it’s important, not only to send a message to Washington that we need to have people that care about the environment,” he said. “We also need to have a few women [in Congress]. We haven’t sent a woman to Washington in New Jersey in two decades.”