Fifth District Candidate Hammer Gets Sierra Club Endorsement

Fifth District supervisorial candidate Eric Hammer has received the endorsement of the Sierra Club.

“I am incredibly honored to have received this endorsement from one of the leading environmental organizations in this area,” Hammer said. “This prestigious endorsement reinforces the reasons that I chose to run for office–to protect our environmental resources, improve county services and strengthen resources for our children and families.”

David Casterson, vice-chairman of the Santa Cruz Group of the Sierra Club and chair of its Political Committee, said that many factors are taken into account when deciding which candidates the club will endorse.

“In addition to having well thought out pro-environmental positions on a variety of issues facing our county, other factors including electability, community involvement, enthusiasm and vision are considered in making endorsements,” Casterson said. “We do not take making endorsements lightly and purposely set the bar rather high.”

The Sierra Club, one of the largest environmental organizations in the U.S. was founded in 1892 by famed conservationist John Muir, and has hundreds of thousands of members throughout the country.

Fred McPherson, San Lorenzo Valley Water District Board of Directors member, said that he understands why the Sierra Club would be impressed with Hammer's qualifications and vote to endorse him.

“The Fifth District covers most of the San Lorenzo River Watershed and it has many environmental issues, such as roads and siltation, as well as pollution and the riparian ordinance, that affect our surface and groundwater supply and quality, not only for the San Lorenzo Valley, but also for the cities of Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz, which also depend on this watershed for their water supply,” McPherson said.

Longtime Boulder Creek environmentalist Nancy Macy also agreed with the endorsement.

“Of course Eric has been endorsed by the Sierra Club. He understands the real impacts threatening our watersheds and coast, as well as the County's role regarding land-use, air pollution and water issues," Macy said.

Along with the Sierra Club, many prominent environmentalists, including Bill Monning, Fred McPherson, Betsy Herbert and John Leopold, have also endorsed Hammer.

For a complete list of Hammer’s endorsements, or for more information, visit http://hammerforsupervisor.com.